Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-13

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 compare changes in the population of New York City and show how the population was distributed between Manhattan and the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, the total population of New York City increased dramatically over the 200-year period. Although Manhattan remained the most populated district in 1800 and 1900, its share of the city's population declined considerably, while the combined population of the other four districts grew substantially and became the dominant proportion by 2000.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216 people. Of these, 60,515 lived in Manhattan, accounting for 76% of the city's population, whereas the remaining 18,701 people (24%) lived in the other four districts.

By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also increased significantly to 1,850,093, although its share fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the population of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island together reached 1,587,109, representing 46% of the total.

In 2000, New York City's population more than doubled to 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population declined to 1,538,096, making up only 19% of the total population. In contrast, the combined population of the other four districts rose dramatically to 6,471,089, accounting for 81% of the city's residents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main trends and provided a logical overview of the population shifts. You successfully selected and reported the key data points for all three years (1800, 1900, and 2000), making effective comparisons between Manhattan and the other four districts. The data is accurate, and the distinction between the growth of the city as a whole and the shifting proportions of the districts is well-handled. You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the introduction and overview to the chronological breakdown of the data. Cohesive devices such as 'although', 'whereas', 'meanwhile', and 'in contrast' are used naturally and effectively to link ideas and contrast the different population trends. The paragraphing is skillful, and the information flows smoothly throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. You use precise terms such as 'distributed', 'declined considerably', 'rose sharply', and 'dominant proportion' to describe the data accurately. The language is sophisticated and natural, showing a high level of control over word choice and collocation. There are no errors in spelling or word usage, and the vocabulary is perfectly suited to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although Manhattan remained the most populated district in 1800 and 1900, its share of the city's population declined considerably'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over sentence structure is excellent, contributing to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report.

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