Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10

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 show changes in the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, as well as the population of Manhattan and the other four districts, namely Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, during the same period.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the period. While Manhattan contained the majority of the city's population in 1800 and 1900, its share declined considerably by 2000, when most residents lived in the other four districts.

In 1800, the total population of New York City was 79,216, of whom 60,515, or 76%, lived in Manhattan. The remaining 18,701 people, representing 24% of the total, lived in the other four districts. By 1900, the city's population had risen substantially to 3,437,202. Manhattan remained the largest population centre, with 1,850,093 residents, accounting for 54% of the total, while the other districts accounted for the remaining 46%.

By 2000, the total population had more than doubled to 8,009,185. However, the distribution had changed significantly. The population of Manhattan had fallen slightly to 1,538,096, and its share of the city's total population dropped sharply to just 19%. In contrast, the other four districts experienced substantial growth, reaching 6,471,089 residents, or 81% of the total.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have fully addressed all parts of the task by selecting and reporting the main features of the population data across the three time points. The overview clearly identifies the significant growth of the city and the shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other districts. You have effectively used the provided data to support your claims, such as the specific percentages for 1800 and 2000. The comparison between the districts is well-integrated and highlights the key trends accurately. There are no omissions, and the information is presented in a logical and professional manner suitable for an Academic Task 1 response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

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 'While', 'In contrast', and 'By 2000' are used naturally to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is skillful, and the transition between the general trend and the specific data points is seamless. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, and the use of referencing is precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'declined considerably', 'risen substantially', and 'distribution had changed significantly' show a high level of lexical control. The use of 'accounting for' and 'representing' is accurate and appropriate for describing statistical data. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also sophisticated, contributing to a natural and professional tone. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is highly effective for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'While Manhattan contained the majority of the city's population in 1800 and 1900, its share declined considerably by 2000', and 'The population of Manhattan had fallen slightly to 1,538,096, and its share of the city's total population dropped sharply to just 19%'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over tense and sentence structure is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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