Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-19

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)

New York City Population Changes

The tables show changes in the total population of New York City and the population distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the period. However, although Manhattan initially contained the majority of the city's population, its share decreased considerably, while the other four districts became increasingly populated.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216. Manhattan accounted for 60,515 people, or 76% of the total, whereas the other districts had only 18,701 residents, representing 24%. By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also increased to 1,850,093, but its share fell to 54%. The other districts contained 1,587,109 people, or 46% of the total.

By 2000, the total population had more than doubled to 8,009,185. In contrast, Manhattan's population fell to 1,538,096, accounting for only 19% of the city's population. Meanwhile, the other four districts grew substantially to 6,471,089 people, representing 81% of the total.

AI examiner evaluation

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 distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. The data is accurately selected and reported, with clear comparisons made between the years 1800, 1900, and 2000. The inclusion of percentages adds depth to the analysis, allowing for a precise comparison of the changing population shares. The overview is concise and accurately reflects the key patterns shown in the tables. No significant information is omitted, and the response is well-focused on the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data chronologically. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'whereas', 'In contrast', and 'Meanwhile' are used effectively to link sentences and contrast the different trends between Manhattan and the other districts. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed data analysis. The referencing is clear throughout, ensuring that the reader can easily track the population changes over the two-century period.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately. Phrases like 'increased dramatically', 'risen sharply', and 'grew substantially' demonstrate a good ability to describe trends with precision. The use of 'accounting for' and 'representing' shows a good command of academic register. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it remains somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'population' or 'districts' and perhaps more sophisticated collocations to describe the scale of change, though the current range is more than adequate for a clear and professional report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'although Manhattan initially contained the majority of the city's population, its share decreased considerably'. The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or punctuation. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writing is error-free, which facilitates easy reading. The use of commas to set off clauses is correct, and the overall sentence construction is sophisticated enough to meet the criteria for a high band score.

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.