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 show how the population of New York City changed between 1800 and 2000, both overall and in Manhattan compared with the four other districts.
Overall, the city's population rose dramatically over the two centuries. Although Manhattan initially accounted for most residents, the other districts grew far faster and held the majority by 2000.
In 1800, New York City had only about 79,000 residents. This figure climbed to around 3.4 million in 1900 and reached just over 8 million in 2000, a roughly hundredfold increase. The fastest growth in proportional terms occurred in the nineteenth century, when the population rose more than forty-fold.
Manhattan's population grew from approximately 60,500 in 1800 to 1.85 million in 1900, but then fell to about 1.54 million in 2000. As a result, its share of the total dropped from 76% to 54% and then to just 19%. By contrast, the other districts rose from under 19,000 people (24%) to 1.59 million (46%) in 1900 and 6.47 million (81%) in 2000, so they overtook Manhattan between 1900 and 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and effectively reporting the main features and comparisons from the tables. Key data points, such as the total population growth from 79,216 in 1800 to over 8 million in 2000, are accurately cited. The significant shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts is highlighted clearly, with accurate reporting of population figures and percentages (e.g., Manhattan dropping from 76% to 19%, and other districts rising from 24% to 81%). The response is fully developed, well-supported with relevant data, and meets all the requirements of an effective Academic Task 1 response.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. Ideas are appropriately grouped into paragraphs, starting with a general introduction and overview, followed by specific details regarding the overall city population, and concluding with a detailed comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively throughout the text, such as 'Overall', 'Although', 'In 1800', 'As a result', and 'By contrast'. Paragraphing is handled skillfully, ensuring that each paragraph has a distinct and coherent focus.
Lexical Resource: Band 8.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource that is well-suited to describing statistical and demographic data. Less common vocabulary and appropriate collocation are used skillfully, such as 'rose dramatically', 'accounted for', 'proportional terms', and 'overtook'. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable inaccuracies in spelling or word formation. The vocabulary allows for a fluent and natural presentation of the data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The text displays a wide variety of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating excellent command of subordination and coordination (e.g., 'Although Manhattan initially accounted for most residents, the other districts grew far faster...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only very occasional minor slips that never impede communication.
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