Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30

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 tables illustrates the total number of people living in New York City, along with that total changes in the population of mainly five districts between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the total number of people has been increased significantly over the given period. Also, Manhattan had dominated other districts in the year 1800 and 1900, but the population in the others districts inclined rapidly in 2000.

In 1800, the number of people residing in the New York City was 79216. Manhattan accounted for 76% of total population with 60515, while other districts proportion was only 24%(18701). There was siginficant changes in the total population in 1900. Population rose to [redacted phone] and again majority of people were from Manhattan with [redacted phone](54%). Meanwhile,Other districts only covered 46% of total population.

Furthermore, in 2000, the number of people residing in other districts (Brooklyn,Bronx,Queens,Staten Island ) were the highest with [redacted phone](81%) with total of [redacted phone]. Overall, it indicates that there was increase in popularity of other districts also.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. An overview is presented, highlighting the significant overall growth and the shift in population dominance from Manhattan to the other districts. Key data points are correctly selected and contrasted, such as Manhattan accounting for 76% in 1800 compared to other districts taking 81% in 2000. The figures match the provided visual data accurately, and the response is appropriately structured for an Academic Task 1 summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that address specific time periods. Cohesive devices such as "Overall", "while", "Meanwhile", and "Furthermore" are used to connect ideas and guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overall trends from the detailed yearly comparisons. However, referencing and transitions could be slightly smoother to achieve a higher band, but the logical progression is clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like "residing", "proportion", "dominated", and "inclined rapidly". There are some minor lexical and typographical errors, such as "The tables illustrates" (subject-verb agreement), "siginficant" (spelling), and awkward phrasing like "others districts" and "popularity of other districts". Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and comparative structures. There are several grammatical errors present, including subject-verb agreement ("The tables illustrates"), missing articles ("in the New York City"), and minor prepositional issues ("population in the others districts"). However, these errors do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear throughout the response, placing it firmly at band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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