Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-07
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 the total population of New York City in 1800, 1900 and 2000, and show how this population was distributed between Manhattan and the other four districts (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island).
Overall, New York City's population increased dramatically over the 200-year period. While Manhattan contained the majority of residents in 1800 and 1900, its share of the total population declined steadily. In contrast, the combined population of the other four districts grew rapidly and accounted for the vast majority of residents by 2000.
In 1800, New York City had a relatively small population of 79,216 people. Of these, 60,515 lived in Manhattan, representing 76% of the city's population, while only 18,701 people (24%) lived in the other four districts. By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also increased significantly to 1,850,093, although its proportion fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the population of the remaining districts climbed to 1,587,109, accounting for 46% of the total.
The trend changed in the following century. Although New York City's population more than doubled to 8,009,185 in 2000, Manhattan's population declined to 1,538,096, reducing its share to just 19%. By contrast, the other four districts experienced substantial growth, reaching 6,471,089 residents and making up 81% of the city's total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the data, including the overall trend of population growth and the significant shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as contrasting the percentages in 1800 with those in 2000. The data is accurately cited, and the overview provides a clear summary of the key trends. You have fully addressed all parts of the task, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
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, the historical data for 1800 and 1900, and the final century. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'Although' are used effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the analysis, making the information easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'distributed between', 'accounted for the vast majority', and 'experienced substantial growth' are used naturally and accurately. The vocabulary is varied, avoiding unnecessary repetition and showing a good command of collocations. There are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey the data clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'While Manhattan contained the majority of residents in 1800 and 1900, its share of the total population declined steadily.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense and sentence structure is consistent, contributing to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.
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