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 tables provide information about the population of New York City in 1800, 1900 and 2000, as well as the proportion of people living in Manhattan and the other four boroughs.

Overall, New York City’s population increased dramatically over the period. While Manhattan contained the majority of residents in 1800, its share declined considerably by 2000, whereas the other four boroughs experienced substantial growth.

In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216. Of this total, 60,515 people lived in Manhattan, accounting for 76%, while the remaining four boroughs contained 24%.

By 1900, the city’s population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population also increased to 1,850,096; however, its proportion fell to 54%, while the other boroughs accounted for 46%.

In 2000, the total population reached 8,009,185. Manhattan’s population decreased to 1,538,096, representing just 19% of the total, while the other four boroughs accounted for 81% the population increased to 6,471,089.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the dramatic overall growth and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other boroughs. Key data points, such as the total populations and percentages, are accurately cited from the tables (e.g., 'In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216' and 'accounting for 76%'). Comparisons are made effectively throughout the response, meeting all the requirements of Task 1 adequately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by an overarching summary paragraph, and then breaks down the data chronologically by year (1800, 1900, and 2000). Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'whereas', 'however', and 'while the remaining' are used naturally to link ideas and contrast the data between Manhattan and the other boroughs without being obtrusive.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for an Academic Task 1 response, utilizing terms like 'dramatically', 'considerable', 'substantial growth', and 'proportion'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate. There is an attempt at less common phrasing, such as 'accounting for' and 'representing just 19% of the total'. Minor slips do not impede communication, showing good control over lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'While Manhattan contained the majority of residents in 1800, its share declined considerably by 2000'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled well. There is a slight grammatical awkwardness or missing word at the very end of the final sentence ('while the other four boroughs accounted for 81% the population increased to 6,471,089'), which lacks a conjunction or full stop to separate the clauses, but this is a minor blemish in an otherwise well-controlled text.

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