Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-27

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 tables illustrate how the population of New York City and its districts changed over a 200-year period from 1800 to 2000.Overall, New York City experienced massive population growth over the two centuries. While Manhattan initially contained the vast majority of the city's residents, its population share plummeted over time. In contrast, the combined population of the other four districts grew dramatically, dominating the city by the year 2000.In 1800, New York City’s total population was quite small, at just 79,216 residents. Manhattan was the primary hub, housing 60,515 people, which represented 76% of the city's total. Over the next century, the city grew exponentially to over 3.4 million by 1900. Manhattan's population also peaked during this time at 1,850,093, though its percentage share fell to 54%. By 2000, while the city's overall population more than doubled to over 8 million, Manhattan's population actually decreased to 1,538,096, shrinking its share to just 19%.Conversely, the other districts (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) saw continuous growth. In 1800, they accounted for only 24% of the population with 18,701 residents. By 1900, their combined population soared to over 1.5 million, nearly matching Manhattan at 46% of the total. By 2000, these districts became the overwhelming majority, skyrocketing to 6,471,089 residents and making up 81% of New York City's total population.

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 trends and selected key data points to support your summary. The comparison between Manhattan and the other districts is well-handled, and the use of percentages to illustrate the shift in population distribution is excellent. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the exponential growth of the city and the contrasting demographic shifts between the districts. The information is accurate and well-supported by the provided data, meeting all requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Conversely', and 'while', which help to link the information smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The flow of information is natural, and each sentence contributes to the overall summary without any confusion or repetition. The structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the entire text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'exponential growth', 'plummeted', 'primary hub', and 'overwhelming majority' show a sophisticated command of language. The word choices are appropriate for an academic report and contribute to the clarity of the analysis. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally to convey complex trends and comparisons effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'While Manhattan initially contained the vast majority of the city's residents, its population share plummeted over time.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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