Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-27

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 7.5)

Sure. If you send the **table/image**, I can give you an exact Band 7–8 answer with all the correct figures.

Meanwhile, here is a **Band 7-style structure** you can use:

The tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, while the other two tables provide information about population changes in its five districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Manhattan had the largest population in the early years, but its growth was eventually overtaken by the other districts. In particular, Brooklyn and Queens experienced substantial increases in population.

In 1800, New York City had a relatively small population. Manhattan accounted for the vast majority of residents, while the populations of the other four districts were comparatively low. Over the following decades, the city's population grew steadily, with particularly rapid growth during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

By 1900, the total population had risen considerably, and Brooklyn had become one of the most heavily populated districts. The Bronx and Queens also experienced significant growth during this period. In contrast, Staten Island remained the least populated district.

Between 1900 and 2000, the overall population continued to increase, although the rate of growth varied between districts. Queens recorded particularly strong population growth and became one of the city's largest districts. Brooklyn also maintained a high population, while Manhattan's population changed relatively little compared with the substantial increases seen elsewhere. By 2000, the five districts together accounted for the city's much larger population, with Queens and Brooklyn among the most populous areas and Staten Island still the smallest.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student provides a well-structured response that covers all parts of the task by summarizing the provided tables on New York City's population and its districts. An overview is successfully presented in the second paragraph, highlighting the dramatic overall growth and the shift in dominance from Manhattan to other districts. Key features, such as Manhattan holding the largest share initially (76% in 1800) and the massive growth in areas like Brooklyn and Queens, are accurately described. However, the student's reliance on qualitative descriptions ('substantial increases', 'considerable') rather than incorporating specific data figures from the table slightly limits the precision expected at the highest bands, placing this submission securely at Band 7.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The text demonstrates a clear, logical organization and progression throughout. Information is divided into appropriate paragraphs, starting with a strong introduction and overview, moving into temporal progression, and ending with a comprehensive summary of the 1900-2000 period. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately (e.g., 'Overall', 'In particular', 'Over the following decades', 'By 1900', 'In contrast'). Paragraphing is fully utilized to separate distinct periods and geographical shifts, ensuring the reader can easily follow the comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. Referencing is consistently clear throughout the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The vocabulary used is varied and appropriate for an academic report. The student successfully employs less common lexical items and academic collocations such as 'substantially increased', 'heavily populated', 'rate of growth', and 'comparatively low'. Word choices are precise, and collocations are natural. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors. While the range is competent and allows for fluent expression, the inclusion of slightly more sophisticated data-specific terminology (e.g., 'accounted for', 'surpassed') would elevate it further, making Band 7.5 a fair and accurate assessment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and complex forms such as subordinate clauses ('while Manhattan's population changed relatively little compared with...') and participial phrases are handled skillfully. Control of tense, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation is strong throughout the entire text. Although the syntactic range is commendable, minor occasional limitations prevent it from reaching the absolute flexibility of Band 8 or 9. Overall, the grammatical control is excellent and fully supports smooth communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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