Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-21

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 table present data on population changes in New York City overall, as well as the distribution of resident between Manhattan and the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, the popullation of New York City increased dramatically over the period. While manhattan experienced substantial growth between 1800 and 1900, its population subsequently declined slightly and its share of the city's total population fell considerably. In contrast, the other four districts recorded continuous and much stronger grwoth, becoming home to the vast majority of New York's residents by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216, of whom 60,515 or 76%, lived in Manhattan. By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to approximately 3.44 miliion, while Manhattan's population reached 1.85 million. Despite this increase, its proportion of the total had fallen to 54%. Over the following centry, the city's population more than doubled to 8.01 million, whereas, Manhattan's population decreased to 1.54 million. As a result, Manhattan accounted for only 19% of the city's population in 2000.

The other four districts followed a markedly different pattern. Their combined population rose from just 18,701 in 1800 to around 1.59 million in 1900, before increasingly dramatically to 6.47 million in 2000. Their share of New York City's population consequently climbed from 24% to 46% and then to 81%. By the end of the period, therefore, the four districts had a combned population more than four times that of Manhattan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a comprehensive overview of both the total population changes and the distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts. Key features are accurately reported with precise figures drawn from the tables, such as the 1800 population of 79,216 and the 2000 total of 8.01 million. Clear comparisons are made throughout, noting the contrasting growth trajectories between Manhattan and the outer districts over the 200-year period. The overview effectively captures the main trends without getting bogged down in unnecessary minor data points, fulfilling all the requirements of Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organised with a clear overarching progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a strong overview paragraph, a detailed body paragraph on Manhattan and the total city, and a final body paragraph on the other four districts. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Despite this increase', and 'As a result' are used effectively to signal logical relationships between sentences and paragraphs, though referencing remains clear and natural throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, using appropriate terms such as 'distribution', 'substantial growth', 'proportion', and 'trajectories'. Less common items and collocations are attempted with good success, though there are a few minor lexical and spelling slips, such as 'popullation' instead of 'population', 'manhattan' not capitalised in one instance, and 'increasing dramatically' instead of 'increasingly' in the final paragraph. These minor errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer uses a good variety of complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses ('While manhattan experienced substantial growth...', 'of whom 60,515 or 76%, lived in...') and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is generally strong. A few minor mechanical errors occur, such as the missing capitalization on 'manhattan' in the second paragraph and the slight typo 'centry' instead of 'century', but these do not detract from the overall clarity and sophistication of the writing, justifying a Band 7.5 or rounded 7.

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