Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19
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 ilustrates alteration in the whole population of New York city between 1800 and 2000, while the second and third tables prsesent changes in the residents of the five districts of the city Manhattan, brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island within the same time period.
Overall, New York city has faced a signifcant increase in the population across two centuries. However, the population in all 5 districts also surged, but there is some fluctuation in the proportion of different districts.
In New York city, the total number of people in 1800 was 79,216 and in 1900 it was reached to 3,437,202. In 2000, it then surged to 8,009,185, almost the triple of the previous century residents.
Although, in Manhattan district the number of people were increased but the percentage of population declined across the two centuries. It was 76% in 1800, then 54% in 1900 and at the last dropped down to 19% by 2000. However, in the other four districts with the growing of inhabitants percentage also climbed. By the year 1800 population was 18,701 and percentage of population was 24%, 46% in 1900 and 81% in 2000.
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, successfully reporting data from all three tables across the three specified years (1800, 1900, and 2000). A clear overview is provided, highlighting the overall population growth and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. Key features, such as Manhattan dropping from 76% to 19% while other districts grew to 81%, are correctly identified and compared. Figures are accurately quoted (e.g., 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000). While some finer details could be slightly more extended, the response fully addresses the prompt's requirements, earning a solid Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph paraphrasing the prompt, followed by an overview paragraph, and then body paragraphs detailing the overall figures and district comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately. Cohesive devices are employed adequately (e.g., 'Overall', 'However', 'Although'), though there is occasional slight awkwardness in transition management, such as 'at the last dropped down'. Reference words are generally clear, contributing to a coherent overall arrangement that satisfies Band 6.5 to 7.0 requirements.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'alteration', 'proportion', 'inhabitants', and 'surged'. However, there are some spelling errors ('ilustrates', 'prsesent', 'signifcant') and slight inaccuracies in word choice and collocation (e.g., 'it was reached to', 'the triple of the previous century residents'). Despite these errors, communication is not impeded, and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main trends clearly, fitting the Band 6.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses ('while the second and third tables...', 'although, in Manhattan district...'). However, there are notable grammatical inaccuracies, particularly with passive/active voice confusion ('it was reached to', 'the number of people were increased') and prepositional/article usage. Punctuation and capitalization errors also appear (e.g., lowercase 'brooklyn'). While these errors do not prevent understanding, they occur frequently enough to preclude a higher band, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.