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 given table provide data about the changes of population in New York City including its five districts, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population of the New York City increased dramatically from 1800 to 2000. While except for the population of Manhattan, all the remaining districts showed surge in the population, fluctuated over the period.
In 1800, New York City had a 79,216 population which then rose significantly from 3,437,202 in 1900 to 8,009,185 in 2000. However, the population of the Manhattan districts in 1800, comprised of 76% of the total population. This proportion climbed to 54% in 1900, and then fall to 19% by 2000.
Despite this, the population of the fours Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island districts accounted only 24% of the total population of New York City in 1800. In 1900, the population constituted only 46% of the total population, whereas the population significantly increased accounted for 81% of the total population by 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting an overview and reporting the key features and comparisons of New York City's population changes between 1800 and 2000. You appropriately identify the overall dramatic rise in the total population alongside the contrasting proportional shifts in Manhattan versus the other four districts combined. However, some parts are slightly under-developed or contain minor inaccuracies in data interpretation—for instance, stating that Manhattan's proportion 'climbed to 54% in 1900, and then fall to 19%', when in fact it decreased from 1800. To reach a higher band, ensure all data points and trends are interpreted with absolute precision and extended with deeper analytical comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical arrangement, moving appropriately from an introduction to an overall trend summary, followed by body paragraphs detailing the specific data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the response. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as using 'Overall', 'However', and 'Despite this'. Nonetheless, some cohesion is slightly mechanical or awkward, as seen in the transition 'While except for the population of Manhattan, all the remaining districts showed surge in the population, fluctuated over the period.' Refining your transitional phrases and ensuring smoother referencing between sentences will elevate your score in this area.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
An adequate range of vocabulary is used to complete the task effectively, including terms like 'proportional shifts', 'dramatically', and 'significantly'. You attempt less common vocabulary items such as 'comprised of' and 'constituted'. However, there are notable word choice and phrasing errors that prevent a higher score, such as writing 'The three given table provide data' (which contains a pluralisation error) and 'showed surge in the population, fluctuated over the period', where the verbs do not link smoothly. Spelling is generally accurate, but closer attention to collocations and word forms will help you achieve greater precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response shows a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures like subordinate clauses and passive constructions. There are, however, some recurring grammar and punctuation errors that hold the writing back. For instance, articles are occasionally misused or omitted, as in 'had a 79,216 population' instead of 'a population of 79,216', and prepositions are sometimes awkward, such as 'accounted only 24%' instead of 'accounted for only 24%'. Verb tense consistency also wavers slightly when moving between past data and general reporting. To improve, focus on eliminating basic structural and agreement errors to ensure greater accuracy across complex sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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