Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29

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)

The tables illustrate the population changes in New York City and its five boroughs over a 200 year period from 1800 to 2000. The first table shows the total population of the city, while the second and third tables provide data for Manhattan and the other four boroughs combined.

Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically over the period, rising from just under 80,000 in 1800 to over 8 million in 2000. Notably, Manhattan was the dominant borough in the 19th century, but its share of the total population declined significantly in the 20th century, while the other boroughs experienced substantial growth.

According to the first table, the total population grew from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900, before more than doubling to 8,009,185 by 2000. This represents a more than 100 fold increase over the two centuries.

The second table reveals that Manhattan's population grew from 60,515 in 1800 to a peak of 1,850,093 in 1900. However, by 2000, this figure had fallen slightly to 1,538,096. More significantly, Manhattan's share of the total population plummeted from 76% in 1800 to just 19% by the end of the 20th century.

By contrast, the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island grew from 18,701 in 1800 to 1,587,109 in 1900, and then surged to 6,471,089 by 2000. This meant that their share of the total population rose from 24% in 1800 to 81% in 2000, making them the primary drivers of the city's 20th century expansion.

In conclusion, while Manhattan was the primary contributor to New York's population in the 19th century, the other boroughs became the driving force behind the city's expansion in the 20th century, accounting for over 80% of the total population by 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the total population data alongside the breakdown for Manhattan and the other combined districts. The response includes accurate referencing of specific figures from the visual data, such as the total population growing from 79,216 in 1800 to 8,009,185 in 2000. A clear overview is presented in the second paragraph, highlighting the overall dramatic increase and the shifting dominance from Manhattan to the outer boroughs. The information is well-selected, logically structured, and completely accurate regarding the provided tables, meeting all requirements for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The text displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from an introduction and clear overall summary to detailed body paragraphs analysing specific tables, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately without being overused or mechanical, as seen with phrases like "Notably", "According to the first table", "However", and "By contrast". Paragraphing is managed skilfully, ensuring each aspect of the visual data is introduced and compared effectively.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible lexical range appropriate for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, such as "dominant borough", "plummeted", "surged", and "primary drivers". Word choice is generally precise, effectively describing trends and proportions (e.g., "share of the total population declined significantly"). There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, allowing the text to flow smoothly and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response employs a wide variety of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the student demonstrates excellent control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include subordinate clauses and participial phrases used seamlessly, such as "while the other boroughs experienced substantial growth" and "making them the primary drivers of the city's 20th century expansion". Only very occasional minor slips might occur, but grammar and punctuation never impede communication.

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