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 first table provides the overall population growth whereas the second and third tables compare the proportion of residents across all five districts of New York City over the span of two centuries, starting from 1800 to 2000.

Overall, New York City's population dramatically increased over the 200-year period. Manhattan remained the most populated district until 1900, before slightly dropping in 2000. However, its share of the total population declined steadily, while the proportion of the other four districts' population rose markedly.

In 1800, New York had a relatively smaller population size of 79,216, with 60,515 (76%) residents living in Manhattan. By contrast, a smaller number of 18,701 people resided in the other four districts altogether.

Over the following century, the city's overall population rose drastically to 3,437,202 individuals. Manhattan's population soared to 1,850,093, although the share of the total population fell to 54%. During the same period, the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island increased rapidly, reaching 1,587,109 inhabitants, accounting for 46% of the city's population.

By 2000, New York's population had expanded drastically to 8,009,185. Manhattan was the only area to experience a slight decline in its population, falling to 1,538,096. As a result, its share dropped significantly to just 19%. In contrast, the population of the remaining four districts surged to 6,471,089, representing an overwhelming 81% of its share to the city's total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other four districts. The data is well-selected, and the comparisons between 1800, 1900, and 2000 are clear and accurate. You have provided a good overview in the introduction and body paragraphs, ensuring that the key features are highlighted without getting bogged down in every single data point. The use of percentages to illustrate the shift in population distribution is particularly effective for meeting the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the general overview to specific time periods. Each paragraph has a clear focus, and the transition between the historical data points is smooth. You make good use of cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Over the following century', and 'In contrast' to link ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows naturally from one point to the next. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the data trends.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for describing statistical trends. Phrases like 'soared to', 'expanded drastically', and 'surged to' are used accurately to convey the magnitude of change. There is a good awareness of collocation, and the terminology related to population and statistics is used correctly. While the vocabulary is precise and fits the context well, it could be slightly more varied to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high score. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('accounting for 46%...') and subordinate clauses ('while the proportion... rose markedly'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few minor slips. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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