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 three tables compare the population of New York City and its districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000, including the proportion of residents living in Manhattan and the other four districts.

Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically over the 200 years. Although Manhattan remained the most populated district in terms of percentage in 1800, its share of the city's population declined steadily, while the other four districts became home to the majority of residents by 2000.

In 1800, New York City's population stood at just 79,216. This figure rose significantly to 3,437,202 in 1900 before reaching 8,009,185 in 2000.

Manhattan had 60,515 residents in 1800, representing 76% of the city's population. Although its population increased to 1,850,093 in 1900, its share fell to 54%. By 2000, Manhattan's population had declined to 1,538,096, accounting for only 19% of the city's total population.

In contrast, the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island grew steadily throughout the period. Their population rose from 18,701 (24%) in 1800 to 1,587,109 (46%) in 1900 before reaching 6,471,089, representing 81% of New York City's population in 2000.

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 in the total population and provided a logical comparison between Manhattan and the other districts. The data is accurately reported, and the inclusion of specific figures from the tables supports your summary well. The overview is concise and captures the essence of the data, noting the shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts over the 200-year period. The information is well-selected and highlights the most significant features without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall trend, the total population growth, the specific data for Manhattan, and the comparative data for the other districts. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Although', and 'before reaching' are used effectively to link ideas and show relationships between the data points. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the report easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the data accurately. Phrases like 'increased dramatically', 'declined steadily', and 'accounting for' demonstrate a good command of language appropriate for an Academic Task 1 report. The vocabulary is precise and used naturally throughout the text. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'increased' or 'declined' could further enhance the lexical variety, but the current usage is already highly effective for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses starting with 'Although' and 'before reaching'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the tense usage is consistent with the historical data provided in the tables. The structure is varied and supports the clear presentation of the information.

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