Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)
The assigned tables illustrate how the population dynamics changed in New York City and its five districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, New York City saw a significant surge in its population. A decline in contribution to the total population was observed in the case of Manhattan, whereas the contribution of the other four districts increased.
Regarding the total population of New York City, it increased significantly from just 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900, which surged further to 8,009,185 in the upcoming century. The overall population of Manhattan observed an incline from 60,515 in 1800 to over 1.5 million by 2000. However, in 1800, Manhattan made up almost 76% of New York City's population, which dwindled to just 19% in 2000.
Turning to the other four districts, namely: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, their collective population was only 18,701 in 1800 which kept increasing to 1,587,109 in 1900 and a whopping 6,471,089 in 2000. During the nineteenth century, all four of these districts made up only around 24% of the total population of New York City, but the figures rose to 46% in the following century, before reaching to almost 81% in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses the task by summarizing the main trends in New York City's population growth and the shifting proportions of its districts. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the overall surge in population and the dramatic decline in Manhattan's relative share compared to the other four districts. The data is accurately reported, and the comparisons between the 1800, 1900, and 2000 figures are clear. The overview provides a concise summary of the main trends, which is essential for a high band score. All parts of the prompt are covered well, and the information is logically selected to highlight the most significant changes over the two-century period.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the general city trends from the specific district data. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'Turning to', and 'However' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the information. The flow of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the total population and the district-specific data is clearly established. The use of referencing is consistent, and the structure of the response is coherent throughout, making it easy to follow the development of your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'population dynamics', 'significant surge', 'dwindled', and 'collective population' effectively. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more varied to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of repeating 'increased' or 'increasing', you could incorporate more sophisticated synonyms. However, the current range is sufficient to convey the information clearly and with a good level of flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('which surged further to...', 'which dwindled to just 19%...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips, such as 'reaching to almost 81%', where the preposition 'to' is unnecessary after 'reaching'. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly. The control over complex structures is strong, and the minor errors do not impede communication or cause any confusion for the reader.
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