Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-29

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 7.0)

Given are the three tables revealing the population change in New York city and its five districts in the year 1800, 1900 and 2000.

It is evident from the information provided that the New York city has undergone a significant population increase in three centuries. In 1800, the total population was 79,216 and from that 76 percent were living in the district of the Manhattan having a astonishing rate of 60,515 residents and only 18,701 residents in other four districts. In 1900, total population was 3,437,202 and 54 percent of it were residing in Manhattan and remaining in other. However, in 2000 the population was boomed to 8,009,185 and there was reduction in the residents of Manhattan to 1,538,096. Surprisingly, the population of other 4 districts reached to an astonishing rate of 6,471,089 members-which was 81 percent of total population.

It is interesting to note that there was until 1900 there was stable growth in the Manhattan and other district, but, after that there was decrease in residents of Manhattan and a sharp increase in other districts to 4 times of that in 1900.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the data, including the total population growth and the shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. However, the analysis is somewhat limited. While you correctly identify the overall trends, the specific data for the individual districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) is largely ignored, despite being provided in the prompt. To reach a higher band, you should group these districts or highlight specific notable changes among them rather than just referring to them collectively as 'other'. The overview is clear, but the lack of detail regarding the individual districts prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'In 1800', 'In 1900', 'However', and 'Surprisingly' are used to guide the reader through the timeline. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific data points. While the flow is generally good, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing of 'other' districts could be more precise to improve the overall cohesion of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'significant population increase', 'residing', and 'stable growth'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'population was boomed' (should be 'boomed' or 'the population boomed') and 'astonishing rate' used to describe a population count rather than a speed or percentage. The repetition of 'residents' and 'districts' is noticeable. To improve, try to vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like 'inhabitants', 'dwellers', or 'boroughs'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'the New York city has undergone' (no 'the' needed), 'from that 76 percent were living' (should be 'of which'), and 'until 1900 there was stable growth... but, after that there was decrease'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do indicate a lack of control over articles and prepositions. Increasing the variety of error-free complex sentences would help improve this score.

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