Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 6.0)
The first table shows changes in the number of residents in New York City from 1800 to 2000, and the other two tables show changes in the population of five districts of this region over the same time period.
Overall, the population of New York City gradually increased from 1800 to 2000. In Manhattan, the population as a percentage decreased over each century, whereas the population of the other four districts doubled from 1800 to 2000.
The total population of New York rose each century: in 1800, the total population was 79,216, whereas in 1900, it increased to 3,437,202, and after a century, it experienced a significant increase to 8,009,185. The Manhattan population in 1800 was only 60,515. Then, in 1900, it increased to 1,850,093, whereas it declined in 2000, when its percentage of the total population was only 19%. In the other four districts, it increased from 24% to 46%; by contrast, it also almost doubled over the next hundred years to 81%
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the data provided in the tables. You successfully identified the overall upward trend in New York City's total population and noted the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other four districts. For instance, you correctly stated that the total population rose from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000. However, the interpretation of the percentage data for the districts contains some confusion, particularly regarding how the proportions shifted over time. Additionally, some key figures from the middle period could have been highlighted more clearly. This places the response solidly at Band 6.5, as it addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear overview, though some details are slightly under-developed or imprecise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized into four logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the statistics. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'whereas', and 'by contrast' are used to connect ideas and signal comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and specific data points. However, the referencing and logical progression in the final paragraph become slightly tangled when discussing the percentages of the other four districts, which makes the flow a bit mechanical. Overall, the information is coherent and easy to follow, justifying a Band 6.5 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying numerical changes and trends with words like 'residents', 'gradually increased', 'declined', and 'percentage'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary such as 'significant increase' and 'experienced a significant increase'. However, some word choices and phrasing lack precision, such as 'the population as a percentage decreased over each century', which is slightly awkward. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication. This level of lexical control corresponds to a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the essay. Complex sentences are attempted using subordinating conjunctions like 'whereas' and 'when', as seen in sentences such as 'In Manhattan, the population as a percentage decreased over each century, whereas the population of the other four districts doubled...' There are occasional grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, but punctuation is generally handled well, and errors do not impede communication. The control over grammar matches the Band 6.5 descriptor, featuring a reasonable mix of structures with mostly accurate simple sentences and developing complex forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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