Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17
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 illustrate the variations in the population of New York city from 1800 to 2000 along with specific data for five districts of the city.
Overall, The total population of New York city increased by almost 100 times overtime. Manhattan had the highest proportion of population 1800 which drastically declined by 2000, while the other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) displayed an opposite trend, with ascending figures in population and marking the majority share by 2000.
The total population of New York in 1800 was 79,216 which dramatically increased to 3,437,202 in 1900. The figure remarkably rose to almost thrice in 2000, with 8,008,185 citizens living in New York City.
Manhattan had a population of 60,515 in 1800, accounting for 76% of the total city population. However, the numbers climbed up to 1,850,093 in 1900, while its share for the total population decreased to 54%. In 2000, the population slightly fell down to 1,538,096, accounting for 19% of total urban population.
A reversed trend was observed for the cumulative data of other districts, namely, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. These districts had 18,701 citizens in 1800, representing 24% of total population. However, it surprisingly grew to 46%, with 1,587,109 people living in these districts by 1900. Moreover, the population quadrupled to 6,471,089, accounting for the majority share of 81% of New York's total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively summarizes the main trends in the data. You have successfully identified the overall growth of the population and contrasted the decline of Manhattan's share with the rise of the other districts. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the two groups is clear. To reach a higher band, ensure that you include all relevant data points; for instance, while you mention the total population and the share of districts, you could briefly highlight the specific growth of individual districts like Brooklyn or Queens to provide a more comprehensive overview of the provided tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus, moving from an overview to the total population, then to Manhattan, and finally to the other districts. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Moreover', and 'while' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast trends. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly. To improve further, ensure that referencing is always precise; for example, when you mention 'these districts', it is clear, but ensure that the transition between the cumulative data and individual district trends remains seamless.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'drastically declined', 'ascending figures', and 'reversed trend' appropriately. The language is generally precise and fits the academic context well. There are occasional minor issues with word choice, such as 'slightly fell down' (which is slightly redundant) and 'almost thrice' (which is less common than 'almost tripled'). However, these do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and avoid phrasal verbs like 'fell down' in favor of more formal alternatives like 'decreased' or 'diminished'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally good. There are a few minor slips, such as the capitalization error in 'Overall, The' and the phrasing 'almost thrice in 2000', which is slightly awkward. However, these are rare and do not affect the clarity of your writing. You show a good command of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('accounting for 76% of the total city population'). Continued focus on minor grammatical precision will help you reach the highest band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.