Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17
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 gives information about changes in the total population in five different districts in New York city and the second and third table illustrates the different districts population change in the years in 1800 to 2000.
Overall, The population of New York City increased significantly during the time period. The percentage of population in Manhattan decreased considerably while other districts population rose sharply.
In the first table, it is clear that the population of all five districts in New York grew significantly. In 1800, the total population was 79216 after that it increased at an unprecedented rate in 1900 at [redacted phone]. In 2000 the population rose up to [redacted phone].
From the second table it can be said that, in 1800 the rate of population was 76% which was higher than over two other period of time. In 1900 and 2000 the percentage decreased gradually at 54% and 19% respectively.The second table shows rise of population over the period in 1800, 1900 and 2000 at 24%, 46% and 81% respectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, presenting a clear overview and reporting key data from the tables. The response accurately notes the overall growth of New York City's population and contrasts the decline in Manhattan's percentage share with the surge in other districts. Main features such as the 1800, 1900, and 2000 figures are selected appropriately and compared effectively. However, the introduction slightly misinterprets the data structure by stating the first table shows five districts when it actually shows the total population. Despite this minor misreading, the overall response is well-developed and meets the requirements for Band 7.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organised into clear paragraphs with a visible overall progression. An introductory paragraph is followed by a clear overview, and subsequent body paragraphs break down the total population and district percentages separately. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'In the first table', and 'From the second table'. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical or repetitive, and referencing in places (e.g., 'the second table shows rise of population over the period in 1800, 1900 and 2000 at 24%, 46% and 81% respectively') is slightly dense and clunky. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas, earning a solid Band 6.5 to 7.0 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, including terms like 'significantly', 'unprecedented rate', 'gradually', and 'respectively'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary ('unprecedented rate'), though word choices occasionally lack precision or natural collocation (e.g., 'the rate of population' instead of 'the population proportion' or 'percentage'). Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary is sufficient to allow the message to come across clearly, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Examples such as 'In 1800, the total population was 79216 after that it increased at an unprecedented rate...' show attempted complex structures, though punctuation errors are present, such as run-on sentences lacking proper punctuation or conjunctions (e.g., comma splices). Grammatical control is fairly good for basic structures, but occasional awkward phrasing and minor punctuation lapses occur throughout. The majority of simple sentences are accurate, allowing communication to remain unimpeded, which is characteristic of Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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