Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-26

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 tables reveal data regarding the changes in the total population of New York City and its five districts Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island during the time period of two hundred years from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, what stands out from the tables is that the total population of New York was highest in 2000. In 1800, the percentage of total population was maximum in the district Manhattan, while it was minimum in other four districts. Similarly, in year 2000, the population percentage was lowest in Manhattan and highest in other districts.

Looking into the details, there was a considerable increase in the total population during the 200 years time period. As, there were only 79,216 number of individuals in 1800 and 3,437,202 after next hundred years. However, in 2000, the final figures ended at 8,009,185 showing a huge rise as compared to in 1900.

In Manhattan, however, the population increased from 1800 to 1900, but a slight fall in number of individuals occurred in the next century from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096. On the other hand, the percentage population was only 24% in 1800 in the other four districts, but then the number of people rise considerably forming 46% of the total population. The most noticeable feature is that population was 6,471,089 in 2000 comprising of 81% of the total population and almost 60% more than that of the Manhattan in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview and selecting key data points to report and compare. The student successfully highlights the overall population growth of New York City and contrasts the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other four districts across 1800, 1900, and 2000. Data is generally cited accurately from the tables (e.g., noting Manhattan's peak in 1900 followed by a slight decline, and the dramatic growth of the other districts to 81% by 2000). However, the description could be slightly more analytical when grouping the secondary districts together. Overall, the requirements of Task 1 are met to a high standard, fitting the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The report exhibits clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is divided into logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overall summary, an analysis of overall population trends, and a detailed breakdown of district populations. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'Looking into the details', and 'On the other hand'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes slightly mechanical or awkward, such as 'As, there were only 79,216 number of individuals', which slightly disrupts the natural flow of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, aligning well with Band 6.5 to 7 criteria.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'considerable increase', 'percentage population', and 'noticeable feature'. Less common lexical items are attempted, though occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation appear, such as 'the percentage population was only 24%' instead of 'the population accounted for 24%' or 'comprising of' where 'comprising' alone is standard. Spelling is accurate throughout, and communication is never impeded. These features reflect a solid Band 6 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over relative clauses and contrasting structures (e.g., 'In Manhattan, however, the population increased from 1800 to 1900, but a slight fall...'). However, there are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'As, there were only 79,216 number of individuals' (fragmented clause) and 'the number of people rise considerably' (tense inconsistency). Punctuation is generally acceptable. Because errors are present but rarely impede communication, the writing aligns closely with Band 6.

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.