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)
The provided tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City, along with the population and percentage distribution of Manhattan and the other four districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, New York City experienced a massive and continuous population growth throughout the two centuries. While Manhattan dominated the city's population in the 19th century, a dramatic shift occurred later, with the other districts becoming home to the vast majority of residents by 2000.
In 1800, New York City's total population stood at just 79,216, of which Manhattan accounted for the overwhelming majority at 60,515 (76%). The combined population of the other four districts was a mere 18,701 (24%).
By 1900, the total population surged to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population grew to 1,850,093, though its proportional share dropped to 54%. Meanwhile, the other districts saw rapid growth, reaching 1,587,109 (46%).
By 2000, the city's overall population reached 8,009,185. Manhattan's population actually declined to 1,538,096, reducing its share to a minority of 19%. In stark contrast, the other four districts experienced a massive surge to 6,471,089, capturing 81% of the total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall population surge and the significant shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. The data is accurately selected and compared across the three time points (1800, 1900, 2000). The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the key developments. By highlighting the contrast between Manhattan's decline in proportional share and the rapid growth of the other districts, you have provided a well-developed and analytical response that fully satisfies the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and well-structured body paragraphs that follow a chronological order. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'Meanwhile', and 'In stark contrast' are used effectively to link ideas and highlight comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods, which aids readability. The progression of information is smooth and easy to follow throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report, including terms like 'proportional share', 'dominated', 'surged', and 'in stark contrast'. The language is precise and conveys the information clearly. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or varied synonyms for 'growth' or 'population' could elevate the response further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, such as 'While Manhattan dominated the city's population in the 19th century, a dramatic shift occurred later'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, and the majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.
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