Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30
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 compare the population of New York City and its five districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000. They also show the proportions of residents living in Manhattan and the other four districts over the same period.
Overall, New York City’s population increased dramatically during the 2000 years. Although Manhattan remained highly populated, its share of the total population declined considerably, while the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island became dominant by 2000.
In 1800, New York City had 79,216 residents. Manhattan contained 60,515 people, accounting for 76% of the total, whereas the other four districts had only 18,701 inhabitants, or 24%. By 1900, the city’s population had grown sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population reached 1,850,093, representing 54%, while the remaining districts housed 1,587,109 residents, equivalent to 46%.
By 2000, the city’s population had risen further to 8,009,185. Manhattan’s population fell slightly to 1,538,096, reducing its share to 19%. In contrast, the combined population of the other districts increased substantially to 6,471,089, accounting for 81% of New York City’s residents overall.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student fully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features, selecting appropriate data points from the tables, and making clear comparisons between Manhattan and the other four districts over the three specified years. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the dramatic overall population growth and the shifting demographic balance. Data is accurately cited throughout, such as the initial population of 79,216 in 1800 rising to 8,009,185 in 2000, and the percentage changes between Manhattan and the remaining districts. The response satisfies all requirements of Task Achievement at a high level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: an introduction, an overview, baseline data for 1800 and 1900, and final data for 2000. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical, utilizing phrases like 'Although', 'whereas', and 'In contrast' to establish clear relationships between the data points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different time frames and themes, ensuring smooth readability.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Appropriate lexical items such as 'dramatically', 'considerable', 'dominant', 'sharply', and 'substantially' are used to describe trends effectively. Collocations and word choices are natural, with only very occasional minor issues, such as the slight phrasing oddity in 'during the 2000 years' instead of 'over the two-century period'. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and contributes strongly to the clarity of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The writer employs a wide range of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring effective use of subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'accounting for 76% of the total, whereas the other four districts had only 18,701 inhabitants'). Grammatical control is strong throughout, with appropriate tense usage for past data. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled correctly, demonstrating excellent control over grammar.
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