Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-06

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 population of New York City and its five districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000. They also show the proportions of residents living in Manhattan and the other four districts over the same period.

Overall, New York City’s population increased dramatically during the 200 years. Although Manhattan remained highly populated, its share of the total population declined considerably, while the combined population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island became dominant by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had 79,216 residents. Manhattan contained 60,515 people, accounting for 76% of the total, whereas the other four districts had only 18,701 inhabitants, or 24%. By 1900, the city’s population had grown sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan’s population reached 1,850,093, representing 54%, while the remaining districts housed 1,587,109 residents, equivalent to 46%.

By 2000, the city’s population had risen further to 8,009,185. Manhattan’s population fell slightly to 1,538,096, reducing its share to 19%. In contrast, the combined population of the other districts increased substantially to 6,471,089, accounting for 81% of New York City’s residents overall.

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 growth trend and the significant shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other districts. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as contrasting the 1800 figures with the 2000 figures and highlighting the reversal in population dominance. The data is accurately represented, and the inclusion of percentages adds depth to your analysis. You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear overview and supporting it with specific data points from the tables.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the chronological changes. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'while', 'In contrast', and 'whereas' are used effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the referencing is clear throughout. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, and the transition between the general city population and the specific district breakdown is handled seamlessly.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'increased dramatically', 'remained highly populated', 'declined considerably', and 'accounted for' are used accurately. You successfully avoid repetition by using varied terminology to describe the data, such as 'housed', 'contained', and 'representing'. The vocabulary is natural and sophisticated, contributing to the clarity and professional tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses ('Although Manhattan remained...', 'while the combined population...') and participial phrases ('accounting for 76%...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. The control over tense usage—shifting between past simple for historical data and present perfect for trends—is accurate and consistent throughout the response.

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