Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19
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 first table display how the total population of New York city changed between 1800 and 2000 while the remaining two tables illustrate the same statistics for the five districts of the city i-e Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.
Overall, the total population of New York increased drammatically in these 200 years. An interesting trend to be noted is the population of Manhattan. Its population as a proportion of the total continuously decreases during these years whereas the share of other districts increases regularly.
The population of New York rises from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000 which is more than 8 times the population in 1800. Manhattan's population accounted for 76% the total in 1800 which was 60,515. It grew to 1,850,093 in 1900 which was 54% of the overall population. In 2000, it fell to 1,538,096 which was 19% of the total. Turning to the remaining four districts, the population was 18,701 in 1800 which accounted for 24% of New York's population. It went up to 1,587,109 in 1900 accounting for 46% of overall population. In 2000, the population of remaining four districts skyrocketed to 6,471,089 which was 81% of the population of New York.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overall massive growth of the city alongside the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other districts. Key data points, such as the total population figures and percentage shares, are accurately cited and compared. For instance, the student correctly highlights that Manhattan held 76% of the population in 1800 before dropping to 19% in 2000, while the remaining districts experienced an inverse surge to 81%. The response is fully developed and well-supported with relevant data from the visual source.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to overview and detailed body paragraphs. Information is well sequenced, moving naturally from total city-wide statistics to specific district breakdowns. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively to separate the overview from the detailed body content. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', and 'Turning to' are managed well to guide the reader through the data comparisons without becoming obtrusive or repetitive.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic task reporting trends. Items such as 'proportion', 'accounted for', 'skyrocketed', and 'drammatically' are used appropriately. There are minor vocabulary or phrasing slips, such as 'The first table display' (should be 'displays') and '76% the total' (missing 'of'). However, the lexical resource is strong enough to convey precise comparisons and trends effectively, supporting clear communication throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The student employs a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilizing subordinate clauses and relative constructions effectively (e.g., 'which is more than 8 times the population in 1800'). The majority of sentences are grammatically sound and error-free. There is a minor subject-verb agreement slip in the opening sentence ('The first table display' instead of 'displays'), but this is an isolated mechanical error that does not impede communication. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled well overall.
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