Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29
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 provide information about the population of New York City and compare the populations of Manhattan and the other four districts in 1800, 1900 and 2000.
Overall, New York City's total population increased dramatically over the period. Although Manhattan's population reached its highest level in 1900 before declining slightly, the other four districts experienced remarkable growth and became the dominant residential area by 2000.
The total population rose significantly from 79,216 in 1800 to 3,437,202 in 1900, before reaching a peak of 8,009,185 in 2000. Manhattan's population increased sharply from 60,515 to 1,850,093 between 1800 and 1900, but then fell moderately to 1,538,096 in 2000. Consequently, its share of the city's population declined steadily from 76% to 54% and finally to just 19%.
By contrast, the population of the other four districts grew continuously, rising from only 18,701 in 1800 to 1,587,109 in 1900 and then surging to 6,471,089 in 2000. Their proportion of the total population also increased considerably, from 24% to 46% and ultimately 81%.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified and reported the main features of the data, including the overall population growth and the contrasting trends between Manhattan and the other four districts. The inclusion of specific data points from the tables effectively supports your summary. You have clearly highlighted the shift in population distribution over the two-century period. The response is well-structured and covers all parts of the task, providing a clear overview and supporting details without unnecessary repetition. The comparison between the districts is accurate and well-integrated into the narrative.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction sets the context, the second paragraph provides an overview, and the subsequent paragraphs detail the specific trends. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Consequently', 'By contrast', and 'ultimately' are used effectively to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis, making the information easy to follow and digest.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information with precision. Phrases like 'increased dramatically', 'experienced remarkable growth', 'declined steadily', and 'surging to' demonstrate a good command of descriptive language suitable for academic reporting. The word choices are accurate and appropriate for the context of describing statistical trends. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have successfully employed a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although Manhattan's population reached...') and participial phrases. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the response. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.
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