Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-05

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 table shows population of five districts of New York over a three years period from 1800 to 2000.

Overall the population of Manhattan district have plunged from 1800 to to 2000 whereas the population of other four districts have increased over the years.

The total population of New York has shown a greatest rise as it was only 0.8 million in 1800 which rises to 3.4 million in 1900 whereas in 2000 it surges to 8 million which is historic. As per the total population of New York, Manhattan was then hold a large shrunk of it, almost 76% in 1800, but the percentage decreases to 54% in 1900 while it was further plunges and only 19% of the total population was living in Manhattan in 2000.

At first, the other four districts contributed to a very less percentage of the total population as it was only 24% in 1800 but in 1900 it increases to 46% whereas a growth was seen in 2000 and the four districts has captured the majority of the population of 81%.

As per the conclusion, most people have migrated from Manhattan to the other four districts and Manhattan which was one time the main hub, now only few people live there.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features, overall trends, and relevant comparisons between Manhattan and the other four districts of New York City from 1800 to 2000. An overview is present, highlighting the contrasting population trajectories between Manhattan and the other districts. Key data points, such as the overall population growth from around 79,000 to over 8 million and the shift in percentage shares, are accurately cited from the visual data. However, some parts of the response are slightly under-developed or colloquial in tone, such as describing population shifts in a narrative rather than purely analytical style. To reach a higher band, the overview could be more seamlessly integrated and the implications of the data presented with greater academic precision, fully developing every supporting trend.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from overall figures to specific district comparisons, and finally to a concluding summary. Paragraphing is utilized to separate the introduction, body details, and conclusion. However, cohesion is at times mechanical or faulty, seen in phrases like 'At first' to introduce a statistical trend, and referencing is occasionally imprecise. While cohesive devices such as 'whereas' and 'while' are attempted, their management can be repetitive or awkward. To achieve a higher score, the writer needs to employ a wider range of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that transitions between sentences and paragraphs establish smoother conceptual links.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'plunged', 'surges', and 'migrated'. However, there are notable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word form throughout the text. Examples include 'population of Manhattan district have plunged', 'was then hold a large shrunk of it' instead of share, and 'further plunges'. Additionally, phrases like 'a very less percentage' and 'most people have migrated' show limited precision. These lexical errors and awkward collocations do not heavily impede communication, but they restrict the score. To improve, the student should focus on accurate word forms, natural collocations, and precise vocabulary for describing statistical changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and comparative structures like 'whereas the population of other four districts have increased'. Nevertheless, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms, agreement, and prepositions, such as 'population... have plunged', 'it was only 0.8 million in 1800 which rises', and 'the four districts has captured'. Article omission and misuse are also present, such as 'shows population of five districts' and 'the other four districts contributed to a very less percentage'. These errors require some effort from the reader to parse, though communication is generally maintained. A stronger command of tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and accurate grammatical patterns is necessary to move to a higher level.

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