Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-30

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 show how the population of New York City and its five districts changed between 1800 and 2000.

Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically during the period. Although Manhattan was by far the largest district in 1800 and 1900, its share of the city’s population fell considerably by 2000. In contrast, the other four districts experienced much stronger growth and accounted for the vast majority of the population at the end of the period.

In 1800, New York City had a population of only 79,216, of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan. The remaining four districts contained just 18,701 people, or 24% of the total. By 1900, the city’s population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan also grew substantially, reaching 1,850,093, although its proportion of the total had fallen to 54%. The population of the other districts increased to 1,587,109, accounting for 46%.

By 2000, the city had more than 8 million inhabitants. Interestingly, Manhattan’s population had actually fallen to 1,538,096, compared with its figure in 1900. Its share of the total population therefore dropped dramatically to just 19%. Meanwhile, the other districts continued to grow rapidly, reaching 6,471,089 people, which represented 81% of the city’s total population.

Thus, while Manhattan dominated New York City’s population in the earlier years, the population gradually shifted towards Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island by 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main trends, such as the dramatic overall population growth and the significant shift in population distribution away from Manhattan toward the other four districts. You have successfully selected and reported key data points for 1800, 1900, and 2000 to support these trends, and the comparisons between Manhattan and the other districts are well-integrated. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the most significant developments, meeting all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, a well-defined overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological progression. Each paragraph has a clear central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'By 1900', 'Interestingly', and 'Meanwhile' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the data. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'accounted for the vast majority', 'proportion of the total', and 'shifted towards' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is sophisticated and natural, showing a high level of control over academic register. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to describing statistical trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a variety of complex sentences, such as 'Although Manhattan was by far the largest district..., its share... fell considerably' and '...of whom 60,515 (76%) lived in Manhattan.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and sentence structure is consistent and highly proficient.

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