Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

The tables provide information about the population of New York City and compare the populations of Manhattan and the other four boroughs in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, New York City's total population increased dramatically over the period. Although Manhattan's population reached its highest level in 1900 before declining slightly, the other four boroughs experienced remarkable growth and became the dominant residential area by 2000.

The total population rose significantly from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900, before reaching a peak of 8,009,185 in 2000. Manhattan's population increased sharply from 60,515 to 1,850,093 between 1800 and 1900, but then fell moderately to 1,538,096 in 2000. Consequently, its share of the city's population declined steadily from 76% to 54% and finally to just 19%.

By contrast, the population of the other four boroughs grew continuously, rising from only 18,701 in 1800 to 1,587,109 in 1900 and then surging to 6,471,089 in 2000. Their proportion of the total population also increased considerably, from 24% to 46% and ultimately to 81%

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have clearly identified the main trends in the total population and provided a logical comparison between Manhattan and the other four boroughs. The data is accurately reported, and the inclusion of percentages adds depth to the analysis. The overview is concise and highlights the most significant shift—the transition from Manhattan being the primary population center to the other boroughs becoming dominant. All key features are covered, and the comparison is well-integrated throughout the report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Consequently', and 'By contrast' are used naturally to link ideas and show relationships between the data points. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, which makes the information easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'increased dramatically', 'fell moderately', 'declined steadily', and 'surging' show a strong ability to describe trends with precision. The vocabulary is used accurately and fits the context well. While the range is sufficient for a high score, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'population' or 'growth' could further enhance the lexical variety, but the current usage is already quite effective and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of complex sentence structures used correctly. You have successfully employed subordinate clauses, such as 'Although Manhattan's population reached its highest level...', and compound-complex sentences to convey information efficiently. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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