Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-27

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 tables outline population trends in New York City from 1800 to 2000, contrasting Manhattan with the other four districts: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

Overall, New York City experienced massive total population growth over the two-century period. While Manhattan dominated the city’s population in the 19th century, its demographic share drastically declined over time as the remaining four districts grew significantly.

In 1800, Manhattan was home to 60,515 residents, accounting for 76% of the city’s total population, whereas the other four districts combined made up just 24% (18,701 people). By 1900, both areas saw rapid demographic expansion; Manhattan’s population surged to 1,850,093, though its proportion dropped to 54%. Concurrently, the other districts collectively reached 1,587,109 residents, claiming 46% of the total.

By 2000, a clear shift had occurred. Manhattan’s population shrank to 1,538,096, representing only 19% of the total populace. In contrast, the other four districts continued to grow substantially, reaching a combined total of 6,471,089 residents and accounting for the vast majority (81%) of New York City’s population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses the task by identifying key trends and making relevant comparisons between Manhattan and the other districts. You have successfully highlighted the shift in population distribution from 1800 to 2000, using specific data points to support your observations. The overview is clear and captures the main features of the data, such as the initial dominance of Manhattan and its subsequent decline relative to the other districts. All parts of the prompt are covered well, and the information is accurately reported, demonstrating a strong ability to select and synthesize data for a summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from an introduction and overview to specific chronological analysis. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', 'by 1900', and 'in contrast' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the different districts. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the report easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'demographic expansion', 'surged', 'collectively', and 'populace'. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is sufficient and used with flexibility, there is room to incorporate a few more sophisticated, less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the participial phrase 'accounting for 76% of the city’s total population' and the contrastive structure 'while... whereas...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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