Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-05

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 tables compare the changes in the population of New York City and its five districts between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically during the period. Although Manhattan was the most populated district in 1800 and 1900, its share of the total population fell considerably by 2000, while the other four districts became home to the majority of residents. 

In 1800, New York City had a population of only 79,216 people. This figure rose sharply to 3,437,202 in 1900 and then reached 8,009,185 by 2000. 

Manhattan’s population increased from 60,515 in 1800 to a peak of 1,850,093 in 1900 before declining to 1,538,096 in 2000. As a result, its share of the city’s population fell steadily from 76% to 54% and finally to just 19%. 

By contrast, the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island grew continuously. It rose from only 18,701 people (24%) in 1800 to 1,587,109 (46%) in 1900, before increasing dramatically to 6,471,089 in 2000, accounting for 81% of New York City’s total population. This shows that most population growth occurred outside Manhattan. 

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the dramatic overall population growth and the significant shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. The data is accurately selected and used to support your observations, with clear comparisons made between the time periods and the specific regions. The inclusion of percentages to highlight the changing proportions adds depth to the analysis. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the key features, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the general city-wide trends to the specific performance of Manhattan and the other districts. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'As a result', and 'Although' are used effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'increased dramatically', 'rose sharply', 'declining to', and 'accounting for' are used accurately and naturally. The use of 'share of the total population' and 'combined population' shows a good grasp of descriptive language. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey the data clearly and effectively. The language used is well-suited to the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although Manhattan was...', 'As a result, its share...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The tense usage is consistent and appropriate for describing historical data. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall structure of the sentences is varied and sophisticated, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

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