Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-28
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 7.5)
The first table illustrates the modifications of the total population in New York City between 1800 and 2000, while the second and third tables display the changes in population of five different districts of the city during the same period.
Overall, the total population of New York was highest in 2000. In contrast, Manhattan's percentage of the total population decreased over the same period, whereas other districts experienced significant growth from 1088 to 2000.
An analysis of the first table reveals that, in 1800, the total population of New York was 79,216, whilst the figure climbed to 3,437,202 in 1900 and by 2000, it had reached 8,009,185.
From the second and third tables, it is evident that the figure for Manhattan experienced a dramatic decrease, whereas in 1800 the total population was 60,515 and recorded 76%. In 1900, the figure rose to 1,850,093 and accounted for 54%, whilst in 2000, the total population was 1,538,096 and made up 19% of the population. In contrast, other districts such as Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island recorded 18,707 of the total population, with 24%. In 1900, the population was around 1,587,109 and accounted for 46% of the total population and in 2000, the population was 6,471,089 and recorded 81% of the total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have successfully identified the main trends and provided a clear overview of the data. You covered the total population growth and the contrasting shifts between Manhattan and the other districts. However, there is a minor factual error in your second paragraph where you mention '1088' instead of '1800'. Additionally, while you have selected key data points, the comparison between the specific districts could be more nuanced. To reach a higher band, ensure that all data points are transcribed accurately and that the comparison between the categories is fully developed throughout the response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'whereas', and 'whilst' to link ideas effectively. The progression of information is easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general overview from the detailed analysis. To improve, ensure that the transition between the second and third paragraphs is smoother, perhaps by explicitly stating that the following section provides the breakdown of the figures mentioned in the overview.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'dramatic decrease', 'accounted for', and 'recorded' are used appropriately in the context of describing statistical data. There is some repetition of the word 'population', which is expected given the topic, but you could vary your vocabulary by using terms like 'inhabitants', 'residents', or 'demographic figures'. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is good. There is a minor slip in the second paragraph where '1088' is used instead of '1800', which is likely a typographical error. Your use of subordinate clauses (e.g., 'while the second and third tables display...') shows good grammatical control. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or more sophisticated relative clauses.
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