Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-24
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 8.0)
Theses tables show changes in the total population of New York, Manhattan and the other four districts - Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island - between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, a considerable rise was observed in the population of New York city. Although the overall population of Manhattan also showed a substantial growth, it showed a decline in it's proportion in the city's total population. On the other hand, other districts showed an overall rise in population as well as increased proportion in the city' total population over the centuries, from 1800 to 2000.
The population of New York City in 1800 was recorded at 79216, rising to 34,37,202 in 1900 and 8,009,185 in 2000.The population of Manhattan demonstrated a substantial rise from 60,515 in 1800 to 1,850,093 in 1900. However, it dropped to 1,538,096 in 2000.Despite this overall increase in numbers, a considerable decline was observed in Manhattan's population contribution to total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000.
By contrast, Other districts- Brooklyn, the Bronx , Queens and Staten Island experienced a significant rise in population at 18701 in 1800, [redacted phone] in 1900 and [redacted phone] in 2000. Similarly, their share of New York City's total population also increased considerably over the time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shift in the proportion of residents living in Manhattan versus the other districts. You have included relevant data points to support your observations, such as the specific figures for 1800, 1900, and 2000. The comparison between Manhattan and the combined 'other districts' is clear and well-supported by the provided tables. The overview is concise and captures the essence of the data trends effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data effectively. You use cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'On the other hand', 'However', and 'By contrast' to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general trends from the specific data analysis. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing of the different districts is clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information accurately. Phrases like 'considerable rise', 'substantial growth', and 'population contribution' are used appropriately. There are a few minor issues with punctuation and formatting, such as the inconsistent use of commas in large numbers (e.g., '34,37,202' vs '8,009,185'), but these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is generally precise and fits the academic tone required for this task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. While there are some minor grammatical slips, such as the possessive error 'it's proportion' (should be 'its') and a missing space in 'city' total', the majority of your sentences are error-free. The control over complex structures is generally good, and the punctuation is mostly accurate. These occasional errors are non-systematic and do not interfere with the clarity of the report.
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