Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17

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 illustrate changes in the population of New York City as a whole and show how the population was distributed between Manhattan and the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, New York City’s population increased dramatically, from just 79,216 in 1800 to over 8 million in 2000. At the same time, Manhattan’s share of the city’s population declined substantially, while the other four districts became increasingly dominant.

In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216, of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan. The remaining four districts together accounted for only 18,701 people, or 24% of the total. By 1900, the city’s population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population had also grown considerably, reaching 1,850,093, although its proportion of the city had fallen to 54%. Meanwhile, the other districts contained 1,587,109 people, representing 46% of the total.

By 2000, the city’s population had reached 8,009,185. In contrast to the earlier periods, Manhattan’s population had fallen from its 1900 level to 1,538,096, and its share had dropped dramatically to just 19%. The other four districts experienced substantial growth, reaching 6,471,089 inhabitants, or 81% of New York City’s total population.

Thus, while Manhattan initially contained the clear majority of New York City’s residents, the population gradually shifted towards Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, which together accounted for more than four-fifths of the city’s population by 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student provides a fully developed response that covers all parts of the task accurately. The main features and trends are clearly reported, including the massive overall population growth of New York City and the shifting proportion between Manhattan and the other four districts. Specific data from the tables, such as the exact populations and percentages for 1800, 1900, and 2000, are accurately cited and compared. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the contrasting trajectories of Manhattan versus the other districts. There are no omissions or inaccuracies regarding the visual data, demonstrating a high level of task fulfillment aligned with the Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a clear logical progression and organization throughout. Information is grouped chronologically and thematically into distinct, well-managed paragraphs. The introduction is followed by an effective overview paragraph, which then leads into detailed body paragraphs analyzing specific time periods, and a neat concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately without being obtrusive, with phrases like 'At the same time,' 'In 1800,' 'By 1900,' and 'In contrast to' guiding the reader smoothly through the data. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, satisfying the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural lexical range appropriate for an academic task. Words and phrases such as 'increased dramatically,' 'declined substantially,' 'increasingly dominant,' and 'proportion' are used accurately and with good control. There is a strong ability to manipulate vocabulary to describe trends and proportions precisely (e.g., 'accounted for only 18,701 people, or 24% of the total'). Word choices and collocations are natural throughout, with no noticeable inaccuracies or spelling errors, reflecting the high standards of Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The text displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan' and 'while Manhattan initially contained the clear majority...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and the control of tense and punctuation is excellent. The few complex structures attempted are handled with high accuracy and precision, fully matching the criteria for an 8.0 band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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