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, 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 populace, falling to 1,538,096. As a result, its share dropped significantly to just 19%. In contrast, the demographic figures 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 clearly identified the main trends, such as the overall population surge and the shifting proportions between Manhattan and the other four districts. The data is accurately reported, and the comparisons between the start, middle, and end points of the period are well-integrated. You successfully highlighted the contrast between Manhattan's relative decline in share and the rapid growth of the other districts. The inclusion of specific figures from the tables provides strong support for your observations, meeting the requirements for a clear and comprehensive overview of the provided data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological progression. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the transition between the general population growth and the specific district trends is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'By contrast', 'Over the following century', and 'In contrast', which help guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows logically from one point to the next without any confusion or unnecessary repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'dramatically increased', 'soared', 'surged', and 'overwhelming' are used effectively to describe the trends. There is a good attempt to use precise terminology such as 'populace', 'demographic figures', and 'proportion'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there is room to incorporate slightly more sophisticated collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey the information with precision and clarity, and there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('whereas the second and third tables compare...') and participial phrases ('accounting for 46% of the city's population'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few 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 clear and professional, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar suitable for this task.

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