Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City and the populations of its five districts between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Manhattan had the largest population for much of the period, but its population eventually declined, while the other four districts experienced substantial growth, particularly during the twentieth century.
In 1800, New York City had a population of approximately 60,000, of whom around 31,000 lived in Manhattan. Brooklyn was the second most populated district, with about 5,700 residents, while the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island had considerably smaller populations. By 1900, the city's total population had risen to about 3.4 million. Manhattan remained the largest district, with around 1.85 million inhabitants, followed by Brooklyn at approximately 1.17 million.
By 2000, New York City's population had reached about 8 million. Brooklyn had become the most populated district, with roughly 2.5 million people, while Queens had grown to around 2.2 million. In contrast, Manhattan's population had fallen to about 1.5 million. The Bronx also experienced considerable growth, reaching approximately 1.3 million, whereas Staten Island remained the least populated district, at about 0.4 million.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. An appropriate overview is provided, highlighting the dramatic overall growth, the initial dominance of Manhattan followed by its decline, and the substantial growth of the other districts. Key data points, such as the total populations and percentage shifts, are accurately reported, and relevant comparisons are made throughout the response. The information selected is well-grounded in the visual data, demonstrating a clear understanding of the input material.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introductory overview to specific details for 1800, 1900, and 2000. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In 1800', 'By 1900', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different time periods and themes, ensuring the essay flows smoothly and logically from start to finish.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and varied range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases like 'increased dramatically', 'substantial growth', 'inhabitants', and 'least populated district' show a good command of lexical items related to demographic changes. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, allowing the information to be conveyed with precision. There are no notable spelling or lexical errors that impede communication, reflecting a strong Band 7 level of performance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writer uses a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('of whom around 31,000 lived in Manhattan', 'while the other four districts experienced...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control over tense and number is consistent. Punctuation is handled well throughout the text. While the range of structures is somewhat standard for a task one response, the accuracy and control demonstrated easily satisfy the criteria for Band 7.
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