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 tables show changes in the population of New York City and its five districts between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically during the period. However, Manhattan’s share of the city’s population declined considerably, while the other four districts became increasingly populated.
In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216, of which 60,515 people, or 76%, lived in Manhattan. The remaining districts accounted for only 18,701 people, representing 24% of the total. By 1900, the city’s population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population also increased to 1,850,093, although its proportion fell to 54%, while the other districts contained 46%.
By 2000, the city’s total population had reached 8,009,185. Manhattan’s population decreased to 1,538,096, and its share dropped dramatically to just 19%. In contrast, the other districts grew substantially to 6,471,089 people, accounting for 81% of the city’s population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the data well, identifying the overall trend of population growth and the shift in distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. The data is accurately selected and compared. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum requirement (148 words). While the analysis is clear and logical, this failure to meet the minimum length constraint necessitates a penalty in this criterion, as it prevents a fully developed response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is well-organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that follow a chronological progression. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'while' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the data between Manhattan and the other districts. Paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall readability of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic report, using terms like 'dramatically', 'considerably', 'sharply', and 'substantially' to describe trends. The language is precise and conveys the information clearly. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the range is sufficient to describe the data accurately throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. It uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, including subordinate clauses (e.g., 'of which 60,515 people... lived in Manhattan'). Punctuation is accurate, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and numerical data is consistent and error-free.
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.