Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-08

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)

The tables provide information about changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, as well as the populations of its five districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Manhattan was the most populous district for much of the period, although Brooklyn overtook it in the late nineteenth century. By 2000, however, Brooklyn had the largest population, followed by Queens and Manhattan.

In 1800, New York City had a population of approximately 79,000. This figure rose steadily during the nineteenth century, reaching around 60 million? [replace with the exact figure from your table] by 1900, before continuing to grow throughout the twentieth century. By 2000, the city's population had reached approximately 8 million.

Manhattan experienced particularly rapid growth during the nineteenth century. Its population increased from about 60,000 in 1800 to more than 2 million by 1900. However, its population subsequently declined, falling to around 1.5 million in 2000. Brooklyn followed a similar upward trend initially, growing from a relatively small population in 1800 to more than 2.5 million by 2000.

The Bronx and Queens also saw substantial increases, particularly during the twentieth century. The Bronx grew from only a few thousand inhabitants in 1800 to more than 1 million by 2000, while Queens experienced even more significant growth, reaching approximately 2.2 million. Staten Island remained the least populated district throughout the period, although its population also increased considerably, reaching around 440,000 in 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have provided a clear overview and successfully identified the main trends across the two centuries. You have selected relevant data points to support your descriptions of the five districts. However, there is a significant error in the third paragraph where you mention '60 million' and include a placeholder note. In an exam setting, this is a major lapse in accuracy and task completion. To reach a higher band, ensure all data is transcribed correctly from the source material without meta-commentary. Otherwise, the comparison between districts is well-handled and the key features are highlighted effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group the data by district and trend. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, and you use a range of cohesive devices such as 'although', 'however', and 'while' to connect your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general city trends from the specific district-level analysis. The flow is smooth, and the referencing between the different time periods and locations is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'increased dramatically', 'upward trend', and 'remained the least populated' are used accurately. You show an ability to use less common lexical items to describe trends, such as 'subsequently declined' and 'substantial increases'. There is a good level of precision in your word choice, which helps convey the information clearly. The vocabulary is sufficiently varied to avoid repetition and contributes to the professional tone of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your control of grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, for example, 'By 2000, however, Brooklyn had the largest population, followed by Queens and Manhattan.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and your verb tenses are consistent with the historical data provided. While there is a minor error regarding the data figure, the grammatical construction of the sentences remains error-free and sophisticated. The majority of your sentences are accurate, showing a high level of control.

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