Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-02

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)

These three tables illustrate the total population of New York City and how it changed over three centuries. The first table compares the New York City population of all five districts, while the other two make a comparison of population between districts over the given period.

Overall, the highest number of people reported in the whole of New York City was in the year 2000. In terms of population across all five districts, Manhattan represented the majority of people in New York during 1800. Fast forward to 2000, other districts overtake Manhattan and account for over 80 percent of the population.

In the year 1800, New York's population was a tiny fraction of what it is today, counting at 79,216. It rose significantly in the year 1900, with the population reaching 3,437,202; however, it reached its highest point in the year 2000, with more than 8 million people.

While comparing Manhattan with other districts, the vast majority of people lived in Manhattan, accounting for 76 percent in the year 1800, in contrast to a minority of the population living in other districts at 24 percent. In 1900, the population of Manhattan and other districts was divided approximately 54 percent and 46 percent, respectively. By 2000 other districts (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) took the lead and represented majority of newyorkers at 81 percent of the population, while the population remained around the same as in the 1900s

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response covers all parts of the task well, providing an overview of the population trends in New York City from 1800 to 2000 alongside district-specific comparisons. The data is accurately cited, such as noting the total population reaching over 8 million in 2000 and Manhattan holding 76 percent of the population in 1800 before dropping to 19 percent. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise or state certain figures without fully expanding on their implications, which keeps the score at this solid level rather than pushing into the higher bands. The overview clearly highlights the main developments, including the shift of population concentration away from Manhattan to the other districts over the three centuries.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly, with the introduction followed by an overview paragraph, then a paragraph detailing the total population figures, and a final paragraph comparing Manhattan with the other districts. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'While comparing', 'In 1900', and 'By 2000'. However, some cohesive transitions feel a bit mechanical or conversational (for instance, 'Fast forward to 2000'), and paragraphing, while present, could be managed with greater sophistication to fully reach the higher band. Overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and provides sufficient range for the task. The writer attempts some less common items and phrasing, such as 'tiny fraction', 'rose significantly', and 'took the lead'. There are, however, occasional inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'majority of newyorkers' (capitalisation and compound structure) and minor slips in collocation. These errors do not impede communication, and the range allows the writer to convey the trends with acceptable precision, though greater flexibility and control over advanced lexical items are needed for a higher mark.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response makes use of a variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms, displaying good control of grammar overall. There are frequent error-free sentences, such as 'In the year 1800, New York's population was a tiny fraction of what it is today'. Good use of subordinate clauses and comparative structures is evident throughout the text. A few minor errors persist, such as article omissions or slight prepositional awkwardness, but these do not obscure meaning and grammar is handled well enough to secure a strong performance in this category.

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