Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-25
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 illustrate changes in the total population of New York City and its districts from 1800 to 2000.
The first table shows the population growth in New York City as whole, combining all five districts of the city. There is a steady growth in population that can be noticed. The lowest number of people is 79,216, reported in the year 1800, which increased to 3,437,202 people in the year 1900.
The highest number of people residing in the city is in the year 2000. In total, 8,009,185 people were living in New York at the time.
The next table shows the population changes of one of New York's districts, Manhattan. Although the number of people increased, the percentage of the total population living in the district decreased overtime. Initially, in 1800, 60,515 people resided in Manhattan, which made up 76% of the entire population of New York City. In 1900, the amount of residents rose to 1,850,093, making it the highest number of people recorded in Manhattan. However, the percentage of the entire population dropped from 76% to 54%. The number of people decreased to 1,538,096 in the year 2000, which made 19% of the total population of the city.
The third table covers the population changes of other districts, including Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Unlike Manhattan, population has increased in these districts along with the percentage of total population.
Initially, 18,701 people lived in these districts, making up 24% of the overall population of the city, but a massive rise can be seen as 1,587,109 residents were reported in 1900, collectively making 46%. In year 2000, the highest number of people was recorded in these districts. 6,471,089 residents, 81% of the total population were reported to be living in these districts at the time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The response covers all parts of the task well, successfully reporting the main features of the tables from 1800 to 2000. Data is accurately cited, such as the overall population growth from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000, and the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other four districts. Clear comparisons are made regarding population sizes and percentage shares. The response satisfies all requirements of Task Achievement at a Band 7.0 level by presenting a clear overview and supporting details, though the structure of describing each table in turn slightly limits a more fully integrated comparative analysis.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response is logically organised into clear paragraphs, each addressing a specific table or section of data. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the statistics, such as 'Although the number of people increased', 'Initially', and 'Unlike Manhattan'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the city-wide data, the Manhattan data, and the remaining districts. While progression is clear throughout, the cohesive links occasionally lean towards formulaic patterns, keeping the response firmly at a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate and appropriate for an academic task, with accurate use of terms such as 'population growth', 'residents', 'percentage', and 'districts'. There are some successful attempts at less common lexical items and phrases like 'massive rise' and 'collectively making'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, relying frequently on basic descriptors like 'number of people'. Minor lexical slips occur, such as 'made up 19% of the total population of the city, which made 19%' rather than 'making up', placing this securely in the Band 6.0 territory.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Examples of complex structures include concessive and relative clauses, such as 'Although the number of people increased, the percentage of the total population living in the district decreased' and '6,471,089 residents, 81% of the total population were reported to be living in these districts at the time.' Grammatical control is generally quite good, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor slips, such as missing articles ('In year 2000' instead of 'In the year 2000'), do not impede communication, supporting a Band 7.0 score.
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