Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-26

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 provided table illustrates the changes in the total population of New York City from the period 1800 to 2000. However, in the second and third tables demonstrates the changes in the population of the five districts of the city—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—in 1800, 1900, and 2000.

Overall, New York City experienced massive overall population growth over the 200-year period. While Manhattan initially accounted for the vast majority of residents, the population gradually decentralized, with outer districts like Brooklyn and Queens gaining significantly larger shares of the total over time.

In 1800, the total population of New York City stood at 79,216, with Manhattan dominating the city by holding 76% of all residents (60,515 people). Over the next century, the city's total population expanded dramatically to over 3.4 million in 1900, before more than doubling to reach 8,009,185 by 2000.

Despite this overall growth, district distribution shifted notably. Manhattan's share of the total population steadily declined from 76% in 1800 to 54% in 1900, eventually dropping further by 2000 as other boroughs grew. Conversely, districts such as Brooklyn and Queens saw their populations and relative proportions expand significantly over the two centuries, taking up a much greater share of New York City's total population by 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the population changes in New York City and its districts. You successfully highlight the shift from Manhattan's dominance to the growth of outer boroughs. However, the report lacks specific data points for the individual districts in 1900 and 2000, which are essential for a complete summary of the provided tables. While you mention the overall growth and the shift in proportions, including a few key figures for Brooklyn or Queens would have provided a more comprehensive analysis, moving the response from a general summary to a more detailed report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the trends. You use cohesive devices such as 'However', 'While', 'Conversely', and 'Despite this overall growth' effectively to link ideas and contrast information. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from the general city-wide data to the specific district-level shifts. The structure is clear and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report, such as 'decentralized', 'dominating', 'expanded dramatically', and 'relative proportions'. The language is precise and conveys the intended meaning clearly. There is a minor grammatical slip in the introduction ('in the second and third tables demonstrates'), but the lexical choices themselves are accurate and varied. You avoid repetition and use a range of terms to describe statistical changes, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free and demonstrate good control over grammar and punctuation. However, there is a noticeable error in the opening paragraph: 'However, in the second and third tables demonstrates...' where the preposition 'in' makes the verb 'demonstrates' grammatically incorrect. Aside from this, the control is strong, and the errors do not impede communication. The use of complex structures, such as the participial phrase 'taking up a much greater share', is well-handled.

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