Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-03
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 three tables compare changes in total population in five districts of New York city which are (Manhattan,Brooklyn, Bronx,Queens and Staten island). from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, it can be seen that population of the New York city increased significantly over the given period. Similar upward trend can be noticed in other four districts, and they comprised of the majory of New York population in the last year. However, Manhattan experienced a flactuation over the period given. Despite of sharing the largest porportion in the first year.
Regarding to New York city, population was estimated as 79,216 in 1800, the number rose to 3,437,202 over one hundred year, In the beginning of the new century the number was further increased to 8,009,185.
Similar to this, all other four districts were accounted for 24% of total population with 18,701 citizens, then to 1,587,109 in 1900 which was about 46% of total population in New York city. Lastly in 2000, the number significantly increased to 6,471,089 with 81% of total citizens.
Manhattan experienced a different trend compared to other districts. In 1800 it comprised of majority of total New York population with 76% , but then it accounted for 54% with 1,850,093 individuals. However the number declined for 1,538, 096 with only 19% of total New Yorkers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the three tables. An overview is present, noting the significant overall population growth and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts. Key data points are selected and reported accurately, such as the total population figures in 1800, 1900, and 2000, as well as the percentage shifts. However, some parts are more fully developed than others, and the description of Manhattan's trend contains a dangling sentence fragment ('Despite of sharing the largest porportion in the first year.') that leaves ideas underdeveloped. To reach a higher band, the overview could be more seamlessly integrated, and all comparative statements should be fully supported with complete, grammatically sound clauses without abrupt breaks.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical progression, moving from total population figures to the other districts and finally to Manhattan. Paragraphing is used to separate different sections of the visual data. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. For instance, transitional phrases like 'Regarding to New York city' and 'Similar to this' feel somewhat rigid, and referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in the fragmented sentence structures between paragraphs. To achieve a higher level of coherence, cohesive devices should connect ideas more fluidly, and logical relationships between sentences must be maintained without disruptive punctuation errors or incomplete thoughts.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and descriptive terms such as 'significant upward trend', 'proportion', and 'fluctuation'. However, there are notable word choice and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'majory' instead of 'majority', 'porportion' instead of 'proportion', and the misspelling 'flactuation'. Prepositional collocation errors also occur, such as 'Regarding to' instead of 'Regarding'. These lexical slips and spelling errors occasionally distract the reader, though they do not completely impede communication. To move higher, the vocabulary needs greater precision, accurate spelling, and more natural collocations when discussing statistical trends.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like relative clauses and introductory phrases. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that prevent the score from being higher. Issues include missing articles ('population of the New York city', 'in beginning of the new century'), incorrect prepositions, comma splices, and sentence fragments (such as ending a sentence abruptly with 'Despite of sharing the largest porportion in the first year.'). Additionally, numbers and decimal formatting contain minor errors, such as '1,538, 096'. To improve, the student needs to exercise firmer control over basic sentence boundaries, article usage, and punctuation, ensuring that complex structures are formed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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