Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-29

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 figure illustrates the total population change across all five districts of New York City over three centuries. Overall, the population increased each century from 1800 to 2000, and the Manhattan district accounted for the highest percentage of the total population in 1800 and 1900, whereas in 2000 other districts accounted for the largest share of the total population.

Initially, in 1800, the population of all five districts consisted of 79,216 people. After 100 years, this figure increased significantly and reached the 3,437,202 mark. By 2000, the figure of 8,009,185 was recorded.

Across all five districts, Manhattan was the one that represented the highest percentage of 76% and 54% in 1800 and 1900, respectively. But in 2000, it recorded 1,538,096 people, which accounted for only 19% of the total population of all five districts. As compared to Manhattan, other districts were less crowded until 1900, but by the end of 2000, a record population of 6,471,089 was found, covering almost 81% of the total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively identifies the main trends and provides a clear overview of the population changes. You have successfully selected key data points, such as the total population figures and the shift in the proportion of residents living in Manhattan versus the other districts. The comparison between 1800, 1900, and 2000 is well-structured. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly mention all five districts at least once or group them more clearly, as the prompt asks for information regarding the five districts, and currently, the specific data for Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island is only referred to collectively as 'other districts'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving from the total population to the specific district trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After 100 years', and 'As compared to' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is appropriate, with each section serving a distinct purpose. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the different time periods is clearly established, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Phrases like 'accounted for the highest percentage' and 'reached the 3,437,202 mark' are accurate and appropriate for a data-driven task. There is some minor repetition of the word 'figure' and 'population'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'increase' (e.g., 'surged', 'experienced substantial growth') and 'districts' (e.g., 'boroughs', 'areas') to show greater lexical flexibility and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with good control. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. There is a minor awkwardness in the phrase 'the figure of 8,009,185 was recorded', which could be more naturally phrased as 'a figure of...'. However, these are minor slips that do not impede communication. Your control over tense usage (past simple for historical data) is consistent and accurate throughout the report.

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