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 first table provides data about changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000, whereas other tables illustrate changes in the population of five districts of the city including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island over the same period.
Overall, New York City recorded the highest population in 2000 and the lowest in 1800. Manhattan had the highest proportion in 1900, whereas other districts recorded the most in 2000.
The figure of population in 1800 was 79,216 in New York City, whereas the population reached 3,437,202 in 1900. The population increased to 8,009,185 in 2000.
Manhattan accounted for 76% of population in 1800, whereas other districts represented 24% of total New York City population. The population of Manhattan decreased to 54% in 1900 and other districts reached to 46%. The percentage of population living in Manhattan fell to 19% in 2000, whereas other districts recorded the highest percentage of 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 | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses 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 provided, highlighting the overall growth of the city and the shifting distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. Key data points, such as the total populations of 79,216 in 1800 and 8,009,185 in 2000, are accurately cited. Furthermore, appropriate comparisons are made regarding the percentages of residents living in Manhattan versus the other four districts over the century intervals. The information is well-selected and directly supported by the visual data provided, meeting all requirements for a Band 7 response.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is logically organised with a clear progression from an introductory paraphrase to an overview paragraph, followed by specific details regarding overall population and district percentages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas' and 'overall' are employed to link ideas effectively, though transitions between some sentences feel slightly repetitive. For instance, the repetitive use of 'whereas' to contrast clauses could be varied with other cohesive structures to enhance fluency. Nevertheless, the logical flow is clear throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for an academic task, incorporating terms such as 'proportion', 'percentage', 'districts', and 'accounted for'. While the range is sufficient to communicate the main trends, it largely relies on standard descriptive terms rather than more sophisticated or less common lexical items. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the student could integrate more precise synonyms and varied expressions to describe numerical trends and proportions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilising subordinating conjunctions like 'whereas' effectively. Grammatical control is generally sound, with accurate use of past tenses when reporting historical data. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses, such as 'The figure of population in 1800 was...', but these do not impede communication. Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are grammatically sound, supporting a solid Band 6.5 performance in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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