Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-15

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 given tables illustrate how the population of New York city as a whole and its five districts (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) changed between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, it is readily apparent that there was a dramatic surge in the city's population. It is also notable that while Manhattan initially held the overwhelming majority of the total residents, its proportion gradually declined as people became more evenly distributed across the other regions.

In 1800, New York City had only over 79,000 residents, with Manhattan alone housing approximately 60,500 people, or 76% of the total. The other four districts were sparsely populated, collectively accommodating fewer than 19,000 people.

A hundred years later, the city had undergone substantial demographic expansion, with the population soaring to roughly 3.5 million. Meanwhile, although Manhattan's inhabitants rose considerably to around 1.85 million, its share of the city's total fell to 54%, while a surge to 46% was observed in the combined population of the four remaining districts.

By 2000, New York's residents reached over 8 million. However, Manhattan witnessed a slight decrease in population to approximately 1,54 million, representing just 19% of the total. Meanwhile, the combined inhabitants of the other districts rocketed to over 6.4 million, accounting for 81%, reflecting a major shift in population distribution within the city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the population trends and successfully selected key data points to illustrate the shift from Manhattan-centric growth to a more distributed population across the five districts. The comparison between the years 1800, 1900, and 2000 is well-structured, and the inclusion of percentages adds depth to the analysis. You have accurately identified the main features, such as the dramatic surge in total population and the relative decline of Manhattan's share. The information is well-supported by the provided data, and the summary is balanced and comprehensive.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organised, with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the final summary. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving chronologically through the data. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'However', and 'although' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the different trends between Manhattan and the other districts. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly, making the report easy to follow. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring the reader understands exactly which data points are being discussed at each stage.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases like 'dramatic surge', 'sparsely populated', 'demographic expansion', and 'rocketed' show a strong command of descriptive language. There is a minor error in the number formatting ('1,54 million' should be '1.54 million'), but this does not impede communication. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to a professional tone. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'population' or 'residents' to avoid repetition, though your current usage is already quite effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('while Manhattan initially held...', 'as people became more evenly distributed...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There is a minor punctuation error with the decimal point in '1,54 million', which should be a period in English conventions. Aside from this, the grammatical accuracy is high, and the structures used are sophisticated enough to convey the information clearly and concisely.

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