Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-21

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 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 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the overall population surge and the shifting demographic balance between Manhattan and the other districts. The data is accurately reported, and the comparison between the initial state in 1800 and the final state in 2000 is clear. The inclusion of specific figures for each time period demonstrates a strong ability to select and highlight key features. The overview is concise and provides a clear summary of the most significant trends, which is essential for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the general overview to specific time periods. Each paragraph has a clear focus, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'However', and 'A hundred years later' is natural and effective. The transition between the description of the total population and the specific district data is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and the chronological analysis of the data, ensuring the reader can follow the argument without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'dramatic surge', 'demographic expansion', 'sparsely populated', and 'rocketed' demonstrate a sophisticated command of language suitable for an academic report. The word choices are accurate and enhance the clarity of the data presentation. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. For example, the use of participial phrases like 'representing just 19% of the total' and 'accounting for 81%' adds sophistication to the sentence structure. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the overall flow is highly professional and accurate.

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