Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24

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 illustrate the population of New York City in 1800, 1900 and 2000, with the second and third tables showing the populations of Manhattan and the other districts respectively, as well as their proportions of the city's total population.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the period shown. While Manhattan accounted for the vast majority of the city's population in 1800, its share declined considerably over the following two centuries. In contrast, the other districts experienced substantial population growth and accounted for an increasingly large proportion of the city's total population.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216. Of this figure, 60,515 people lived in Manhattan, meaning that the district accounted for 76% of the city's population. The remaining 18,701 residents lived in the other districts, which together represented just 24% of the total.

By 1900, the population of New York City had risen dramatically to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also increased substantially, reaching 1,850,093. However, its share of the city's total population fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the population of the other districts grew to 1,587,109, accounting for 46% of the total.

In 2000, New York City's population had more than doubled compared with 1900, reaching 8,009,185. In contrast to the overall trend, Manhattan's population fell to 1,538,096, and its proportion of the city's population dropped sharply to just 19%. The other districts, however, experienced considerable growth, reaching 6,471,089 residents and accounting for 81% of the city's total population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main trends, such as the overall population growth and the shifting demographic balance between Manhattan and the other districts. You have successfully selected and reported the key data points for all three years (1800, 1900, and 2000) and made relevant comparisons between the two groups. The overview is clear and provides a strong summary of the data. You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt, and the information is accurate and well-supported by the provided tables.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and three body paragraphs that follow a chronological order. Each paragraph focuses on a specific time period, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'Of this figure,' to link ideas and transition between sentences. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall flow of the response. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Phrases such as 'accounted for the vast majority,' 'declined considerably,' and 'substantial population growth' show a high level of control. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately throughout the text. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and you have successfully used topic-specific language to describe the demographic changes presented in the tables.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'While Manhattan accounted for the vast majority of the city's population in 1800, its share declined considerably over the following two centuries.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the essay, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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