Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03
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 changes in the population of New York City as a whole and the population distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts from 1800 to 2000.
Overall, the population of New York City increased dramatically over the period. Although Manhattan contained the vast majority of the city's population in 1800, its proportion decreased significantly over the following two centuries. In contrast, the other four districts experienced substantial growth and accounted for the largest share of the population by 2000.
In 1800, New York City had a total population of 79,216, of which 60,515 people, or 76%, lived in Manhattan. The remaining four districts had a combined population of just 18,701, representing 24% of the total. By 1900, the city's population had risen sharply to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also grew considerably, reaching 1,850,093, although its share of the total fell to 54%. Meanwhile, the population of the other districts increased to 1,587,109, accounting for 46%.
By 2000, the total population of New York City had more than doubled compared with 1900, reaching 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population declined to 1,538,096, and its proportion fell dramatically to only 19%. In contrast, the population of the other four districts increased to 6,471,089, making up 81% of the city's total population.
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 clearly identified the main trends, such as the dramatic overall population growth and the significant shift in population distribution from Manhattan to the other four districts. You have effectively selected and reported key data points from the tables to support these trends, such as the percentage shifts in 1800, 1900, and 2000. The comparison between Manhattan and the combined total of the other districts is well-handled and provides a clear overview of the data. All parts of the task are addressed, and the information is accurately presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group the data chronologically. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'Although' effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed analysis. The referencing is clear throughout, making the text easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You have used a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic report. Phrases such as 'population distribution', 'accounted for the largest share', and 'risen sharply' demonstrate a good level of precision. The language is natural and sophisticated, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied terminology to describe the changes in population figures.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('of which 60,515 people... lived in Manhattan') and participial phrases ('representing 24% of the total'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is accurate. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the control over tense and number agreement is consistent throughout the text.
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