Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-25

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)

Here is your fully updated essay with all of your exact table numbers restored and all grammar, spelling, and vocabulary errors fixed:

Corrected Task 1 Report:

The three given tables provide a comparison of the changes in the total population of New York City over a period of two centuries, along with the percentage distribution of residents across its five districts—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—over the same period.

Overall, while the population of New York City was growing dramatically, the once-dominant Manhattan lost most of its share to the other four districts.

In the first table showing district data, Manhattan was noted to have a large proportion of the residents at 76%, totaling approximately 60,515 people in the first year of the survey (1800). Despite this, residents began shifting to other places, thereby reducing Manhattan's share, even reaching the point that in 2000 it accounted for only 19% with 1,538,096 citizens. This was lower than in 1900, when it housed nearly half of the city's inhabitants with a total count of 1,850,093.

Meanwhile, the other four districts became significantly more urban over that period, eventually absorbing the majority share of the city's population. In 1800, the four combined had only 18,701 residents, representing 24% of the total. By 1900, this figure had grown to 46%, reaching 1,587,109 inhabitants. Furthermore, the year 2000 showed an even more substantial increase, climbing to 6,471,089 citizens, which constituted 81% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview. You successfully highlight the shift in population dominance from Manhattan to the other four districts. The inclusion of specific data points, such as the 76% share in 1800 versus 19% in 2000, provides strong support for your observations. However, the report could be improved by briefly mentioning the individual growth of the other districts (e.g., Queens or Brooklyn) rather than grouping them entirely, as the data tables provide distinct information for each. Despite this, the key features are well-selected and the comparison is logical and accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the general trend to specific supporting details. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Despite this' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. There is a good balance between general statements and specific data, ensuring the reader understands the significance of the figures provided.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'dramatically,' 'once-dominant,' 'proportion,' and 'constituted' appropriately. The language is precise and fits the academic tone required for Task 1. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' or 'decrease' to avoid repetition, although the current usage is clear and effective. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information with precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('thereby reducing Manhattan's share') and subordinate clauses ('while the population... was growing'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. This level of accuracy is indicative of a strong command of English grammar.

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