Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-26

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)

The first table demonstrates variations in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, while the remaining two tables provide data on how the population was distributed across its five districts over the same 200-year period.

Overall, the number of people drastically increased in New York City over the span of 200 years. While Manhattan showed a decline in its share of the population, the other four districts—Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—showed growth during that period.

In 1800, the total population of New York City was 79,216, which showed a jump to 3,437,202 by the year 1900. The population continued to increase to 8,009,185 by the end of the year 2000. Manhattan contributed the highest percentage of the total population in 1800 at 76%, while the other districts collectively made up the remaining 24%.

By 1900, the population share dropped in Manhattan, then contributing 54%, in comparison to other districts that contributed about 46%. The trend continued in 2000, as the other four districts showed a significant surge in population by increasing to 81%, leaving Manhattan with just 19% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses the task by summarizing the main trends in the total population and the shifting distribution across districts. You have successfully identified the key features, such as the overall growth and the inverse relationship between Manhattan's share and the other districts. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between 1800, 1900, and 2000 is clear. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific detail on the individual growth of the other districts rather than grouping them collectively, which would demonstrate a more thorough analysis of the provided tables.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You use an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs effectively to group information. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'in comparison to', and 'as' are used appropriately to link ideas. Paragraphing is logical, and the flow of information is easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the general population data and the district-specific data is even smoother, perhaps by explicitly stating that the second and third tables provide the breakdown for the figures mentioned in the first table.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report, using terms like 'variations', 'distributed', 'collectively', and 'significant surge'. The language is precise and conveys the information clearly. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to describe trends, such as 'diminished', 'predominant', or 'proportionate', which would add more academic flair to your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You demonstrate control over tense usage, particularly when discussing historical data. Punctuation is generally correct, and there are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To move toward a higher band, you could experiment with more varied complex structures, such as using participle clauses (e.g., 'Starting at 76% in 1800, Manhattan's share...') to improve the sophistication of your sentence construction.

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