Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-22
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 shows the total change in population in numbers of all five districts of New York City over the period of 200 years from 1800 to 2000, whereas the second table displays the population of Manhattan and the other four grouped together over the same period.
Overall, it is notable from the first table that there was a significant increase in the population over the period, while in terms of district population, Manhattan's population fell steadily and the others' populations rose considerably.
According to the first table, in 1800, the population was 79,216; by 1900, it moderately grew to 3,437,202, before rising dramatically to 8,009,185 by 2000.
According to the second table, Manhattan's population was highest at 76% in 1800, whereas other districts combined population was just 24%. In 1900, Manhattan's and other districts' populations came near each other at 54% and 46%. By 2000, there was a sudden change: Manhattan's population dramatically fell to 19%, while the other districts' populations rose steeply to 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| 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 tables, including the total population growth of New York City and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts from 1800 to 2000. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overall upward trend in total population alongside the contrasting trends for Manhattan and the remaining districts. Key data points, such as the total populations and the percentage shares over the century marks, are accurately cited and compared. The response is fully supported by the provided data without any notable omissions or inaccuracies, earning a solid Band 8.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an effective introductory paraphrase, moves into a concise overview paragraph, and then presents the detailed body paragraphs structured logically by table. Cohesive devices are managed well to connect ideas, as seen in phrases such as 'whereas the second table displays', 'Overall, it is notable', and 'By 2000'. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to separate the introduction, overview, and specific data descriptions. The logical sequencing and clear referencing throughout ensure that the text is easy to follow, justifying a Band 7.5 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for an Academic Task 1 response, employing terms such as 'displays', 'significant increase', 'dramatically', and 'steeply'. There are occasional awkward phrasings or minor lexical limitations, such as 'other districts combined population' (missing an apostrophe) and 'came near each other', which prevent the text from achieving a higher band. However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey precise data trends effectively, and the word choices do not impede communication. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, warranting a Band 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'whereas' and 'before'. Grammatical control is generally sound; for instance, complex sentences like 'by 1900, it moderately grew to 3,437,202, before rising dramatically to 8,009,185 by 2000' are structured and punctuated correctly. While there are minor instances of slightly repetitive sentence openings, the majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled well throughout. The structural variety and accuracy support a Band 7.0.
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