Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12
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 provide information about the population of New York City as a whole and compare the population of Manhattan with that of the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.
Overall, New York City's population increased dramatically over the period, rising from just 79,216 in 1800 to more than 8 million in 2000. However, while Manhattan was by far the most populous area at the beginning of the period, its population and share of the city's total population declined considerably. By 2000, the other four districts accounted for the overwhelming majority of New York City's population.
In 1800, New York City had a population of 79,216, of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan. By contrast, only 18,701 people, or 24%, lived in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island combined. Over the next century, the city's population grew spectacularly to 3,437,202 in 1900. Manhattan's population also rose substantially, reaching 1,850,093, although its proportion of the total fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the combined population of the other districts increased to 1,587,109, representing 46% of the city's inhabitants.
By 2000, the overall population had reached 8,009,185. Interestingly, Manhattan was the only area to experience a decline after 1900, falling to 1,538,096. Its share consequently dropped sharply to just 19%. In contrast, the other four districts experienced exceptional growth, reaching 6,471,089 people, or 81% of the city's total population.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main trends and provided a comprehensive summary of the data. By highlighting the dramatic overall growth and the shifting demographic balance from Manhattan to the other districts, you have successfully addressed all parts of the task. The inclusion of specific data points from the tables to support your observations demonstrates a strong ability to select and report key features. The comparison between the initial dominance of Manhattan and its subsequent decline relative to the other districts is well-handled and logically presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the chronological changes. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader through the data. The paragraphing is skillful, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, with clear referencing throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'overwhelming majority', 'spectacularly', 'substantial', and 'exceptional growth' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate for an academic report. The word choices are accurate and enhance the clarity of the analysis. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining a formal tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and accurate use of subordinate clauses. The control over tense and numerical data is excellent, with no grammatical errors noted. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of information. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the overall grammatical accuracy is very high, reflecting a strong command of English syntax.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.