Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-25
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 given data is divided into two parts. The first table shows the changes in the total population of New York city from 1800 to 2000, while the second and the third tables show changes in the population of five districts of the city, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
In the year 1800 the total population were 79,219, out of which 60,515 were based in Manhattan making the overall of 76% while other 24% i.e. 18,701 were based in other four districts.
In the year 1900 the total population were increased to 3,437,202, out of which 1,850,093 were from Manhattan contributing 54% of total population, while other 46% came from other four districts.
A year later in 2000, the population increased to 8,009,185. However, in this year the population trend was effected greatly. In this year Manhattan only contribute to 19% of the total population while 81% of the population came from other four districts.
Overall, Manhathan contribute heavly to the total population of the city while other four districts combiningly contribute to the cause.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response covers all parts of the prompt well, successfully reporting data from all three tables regarding the population changes of New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000. Key features and comparisons are highlighted, such as the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other four districts over the two-century span. The student includes an overview at the end, albeit with minor spelling issues. Minor numerical discrepancies occur, such as stating the 1800 total population was 79,219 instead of the given 79,216, but this does not detract from the overall clarity of task completion. The response satisfies the requirements of Task 1 effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall progression, moving logically from an introductory overview to chronological paragraphs detailing the years 1800, 1900, and 2000, followed by a concluding summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately to structure the essay. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'out of which' and 'however', though some linking is slightly repetitive or mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, despite occasional minor slips like 'in this year' being repeated consecutively. Overall organisation supports the reading of the text quite well.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'contributing', 'proportion', and 'trend'. However, there are several noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'Manhathan', 'heavly', 'combiningly', and 'efflicted' (written as 'effected'). Collocations are occasionally awkward, such as 'contribute to the cause'. While these errors do not impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses such as 'out of which 60,515 were based in Manhattan'. There are grammatical and subject-verb agreement errors present, for instance, 'the total population were 79,219' (should be 'was') and 'Manhattan only contribute' (should be 'contributed'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors occur, they rarely impede communication. The control of grammar is consistent with a Band 6.0 level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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