Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-28
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 three tables detail demographic changes in New York City across three benchmark years—1800, 1900, and 2000. The first table outlines total population growth, while the remaining two compare the distribution of residents between Manhattan and the other four combined districts (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island).
Overall, New York City experienced an exponential rise in its aggregate population over the 200-year period. Additionally, a clear structural shift occurred: while Manhattan held the vast majority of the city's inhabitants in 1800, the remaining four districts grew to dominate the demographic landscape by 2000.
Regarding total headcount, New York City’s population stood at just 79,216 in 1800. This figure surged drastically over the following century to reach 3,437,202 in 1900, before more than doubling to peak at 8,009,185 by the year 2000—a more than hundredfold increase overall.
In terms of spatial distribution, Manhattan was home to 76% of the city’s residents (60,515 people) in 1800, whereas the other four districts collectively accounted for the remaining 24% (18,701 people). By 1900, despite Manhattan’s population rising to 1,850,093, its share dropped to 54%, bringing it nearly level with the other districts, which had expanded to 1,587,109 residents (46%). This trajectory inverted completely by 2000; Manhattan’s population contracted to 1,538,096 (19% of the total), while the combined population of the outer districts soared to 6,471,089, representing 81% of the total populace.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the data, including the overall population surge and the significant shift in demographic distribution between Manhattan and the outer districts. You have made relevant comparisons throughout, such as contrasting the 1800 figures with the 2000 figures and highlighting the inversion of the population share. The data is accurately represented, and the overview provides a clear summary of the trends. There are no omissions, and the information is well-supported by the figures provided in the tables.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a standard structure: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data logically (total population vs. spatial distribution). Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'In terms of', 'whereas', and 'by 1900' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the data. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and each paragraph has a clear central focus. The flow of information is smooth and professional.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'exponential rise', 'aggregate population', 'demographic landscape', and 'trajectory inverted' show a high level of lexical control. The use of terminology is precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with natural flexibility to describe the trends and changes in the data effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The grammar is highly accurate with a wide range of complex structures. You have used a variety of sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and participial phrases, with full flexibility. Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. There are no grammatical errors, and the control over tense and structure is consistent throughout the response. The writing is error-free and demonstrates a high level of proficiency.
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