Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-03

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 7.5)

The tables compare changes in the total population of New York City and the distribution of residents between Manhattan and the other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, the population of New York City grew dramatically over the 200-year period. Although Manhattan remained the most populated district until 1900, its share of the city's population declined steadily, while the combined population of the other four districts increased substantially and became the clear majority by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had a relatively small population of 79,216, of whom 60,515 lived in Manhattan, representing 76% of the total. By contrast, the remaining four districts accounted for only 18,701 residents, or 24% of the city's population.

Over the following century, the city's population rose sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan experienced remarkable growth, with its population reaching 1,850,093, although its proportion of the total fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island climbed to 1,587,109, making up 46% of all residents.

By 2000, the total population had more than doubled again to 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population declined slightly to 1,538,096, reducing its share to just 19%. In contrast, the other four districts expanded dramatically to 6,471,089 inhabitants and accounted for 81% of the city's population, indicating a significant shift in population distribution across New York City.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the dramatic overall population growth and the significant shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. The data is accurately selected and reported, with clear comparisons made between the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. The inclusion of percentages to support the raw figures demonstrates a high level of analytical skill, ensuring the reader clearly understands the relative changes. The overview is concise and effectively captures the essence of the data provided in the tables.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall trend, and then a chronological breakdown of the data. The use of cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'In contrast' is natural and helps the reader follow the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different time periods, which enhances the readability of the report. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive transitions, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'grew dramatically', 'remained the most populated', 'declined steadily', and 'significant shift in population distribution' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate for an academic report. The collocations are accurate, and there are no instances of word-choice errors that impede communication. The vocabulary is varied and avoids unnecessary repetition, contributing to a professional and academic tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although Manhattan remained the most populated district until 1900, its share... declined steadily'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. There is a high level of accuracy in the use of verb tenses to describe historical data. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writing is fluent, making it very easy to read and understand.

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