Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-13

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 compare the population of New York City and the population of Manhattan and the other four districts between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the city's population increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Although Manhattan was the largest district in 1800, its share of the total population fell steadily, while the other four districts became home to the majority of residents.

In 1800, New York City had only 79,216 people. This number rose sharply to about 3.4 million in 1900 and reached just over 8 million by 2000. Therefore, the city's population grew more than one hundred times during the period.

Looking at the districts, Manhattan had 60,515 residents in 1800, representing 76% of the total population. Its population increased to 1,850,093 in 1900, but its share fell to 54%. By 2000, Manhattan's population had declined slightly to around 1.54 million, accounting for only 19% of the city. In contrast, the other districts grew rapidly from 18,701 people to over 6.47 million, making up 81% of New York's population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the population changes. You have successfully selected key data points, such as the initial population in 1800 and the final figures in 2000, to illustrate the growth. The comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is well-handled, highlighting the shift in population distribution over the two centuries. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the information is presented in a logical, analytical manner that meets the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction, an overview, the total population growth, and a detailed comparison of the districts. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In contrast', and 'By 2000' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report, such as 'increased dramatically', 'rose sharply', and 'declined slightly'. The terminology is precise, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items related to demographic shifts could elevate the response further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'Although Manhattan was the largest district in 1800, its share of the total population fell steadily'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent and reliable.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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