Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-27

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 tables illustrate changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, together with the populations of its five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—over the same period.

Overall, New York City's population increased dramatically during the 200-year period, rising from a small settlement to a metropolis of more than eight million people. While Manhattan was initially the most populous borough, Brooklyn and later Queens experienced the greatest growth, whereas Staten Island remained the least populated throughoutIn 1800, New York City had a population of just over 79,000, the vast majority of whom lived in Manhattan (about 60,000). Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island each had relatively small populations of fewer than 10,000 people. By 1900, however, the city's total population had expanded rapidly to approximately 3.4 million. Brooklyn became the largest borough with around 1.17 million residents, narrowly surpassing Manhattan, while the Bronx and Queens also recorded significant increases.

Population growth continued during the twentieth century, although at a slower pace. By 2000, New York City's population had reached just over 8 million. Brooklyn remained the most populous borough with roughly 2.47 million inhabitants, followed closely by Queens at about 2.23 million. Manhattan's population stood at approximately 1.54 million, considerably lower than those of Brooklyn and queen.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the population trends and successfully selected and reported the main features, such as the shift from Manhattan's dominance to the growth of Brooklyn and Queens. The data is accurately represented, and comparisons are made between the boroughs and across the time periods. The structure is logical, and the inclusion of specific figures from the tables supports your points well. To reach the highest band, ensure that all data points are consistently accurate, as there is a minor typo in the final sentence where 'queen' should be capitalized and pluralized.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the overview, and the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', 'however', and 'by 2000' are used appropriately to link information and guide the reader through the chronological changes. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the different boroughs is clearly established throughout the text. There is a minor punctuation error in the second paragraph where a sentence ends abruptly without a period before starting the next, but this does not significantly impede the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'metropolis', 'initially the most populous', 'narrowly surpassing', and 'recorded significant increases' show a level of sophistication. The word choice is generally precise and fits the context of describing statistical data. While the vocabulary is effective, incorporating a few more varied synonyms for 'increased' or 'population' could further enhance the lexical range. Overall, the language is natural and contributes to a clear and professional tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You use a variety of complex sentence structures effectively, such as the introductory participial phrase in the first paragraph and the use of subordinate clauses throughout. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is strong. There are a few minor slips, such as the missing period after 'throughout' and the capitalization error in the final sentence, but these are rare and do not detract from the clarity of your writing. Your ability to handle complex data comparisons grammatically is a clear strength.

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