Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-03

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 9.0)

The tables compare the total population of New York City and the distribution of residents between Manhattan and the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, New York City's population increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Although Manhattan remained the most populous district in 1900, its share of the city's population declined steadily, while the combined population of the other four districts grew rapidly and became the clear majority by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of just 79,216 people. Of these, 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan, whereas only 18,701 (24%) resided in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island combined. By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population reached a peak of 1,850,093, accounting for 54% of the total, while the other districts expanded to 1,587,109 people, representing 46%.

By 2000, the overall population had more than doubled to 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population had fallen to 1,538,096, reducing its share to just 19% of the city's residents. In contrast, the combined population of the other four districts increased dramatically to 6,471,089, making up 81% of the total. This indicates that almost all of New York City's population growth during the twentieth century occurred outside Manhattan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the data, including the overall population growth and the significant shift in distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. You have made relevant comparisons across the three time periods (1800, 1900, and 2000) and supported your summary with accurate data points from the tables. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant trends, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall trend, the early data, and the final comparison. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although,' 'In contrast,' and 'By 2000,' to link sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The referencing is clear, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. The structure is professional and contributes to a very coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'increased dramatically,' 'declined steadily,' 'risen sharply,' and 'accounted for' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate for an academic report. The use of terminology is accurate, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied ways to describe the changes in population figures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

Your grammatical control is excellent. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although Manhattan remained...') and participial phrases ('making up 81% of the total'), with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly throughout the text. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are handled with full flexibility. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication or distract the reader.

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