Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10
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 three tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City and compare the demographic distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts from 1800 to 2000.Overall, New York City experienced massive population growth over the two-century period. While Manhattan initially held the vast majority of the city's residents, its demographic share sharply declined as the other districts grew to dominate the population by 2000.In 1800, New York City's total population stood at 79,216, with Manhattan accounting for an overwhelming 76% (60,515 residents). By 1900, the city's total population boomed to over 3.4 million. Although Manhattan's population grew significantly to 1,850,093, its share of the total fell to 54%. By 2000, Manhattan’s population actually contracted to 1,538,096, representing just 19% of the city’s 8,009,185 residents.Conversely, the remaining districts saw exponential growth. Starting at just 18,701 residents (24%) in 1800, their combined population jumped to nearly 1.6 million (46%) in 1900. By 2000, these districts reached 6,471,089, comprising a commanding 81% of New York City's total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in demographic distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. The data is well-selected, and you have made relevant comparisons between the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the key developments. The figures provided are accurate and support the analysis well. The response is well-structured and covers all requirements of the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction/overview, the analysis of Manhattan, and the analysis of the other districts. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Although', 'Conversely', and 'By 2000' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. There is a clear logical structure that makes the information easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'demographic distribution', 'exponential growth', 'contracted', and 'commanding 81%' demonstrate a strong command of language. The word choice is precise and contributes to the professional tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word choice, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. The range is sufficient to convey the information with precision and clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses ('While Manhattan initially held...', 'Although Manhattan's population grew...') and participial phrases ('representing just 19%...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report.
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