Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17

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 illustrate changes in the population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, with particular emphasis on Manhattan and the other four districts: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Overall, New York City experienced a dramatic increase in population over the period. However, the distribution of residents changed considerably. Manhattan accounted for the clear majority of the population in 1800, whereas by 2000, most residents lived in the other four districts. Notably, Manhattan's population declined slightly between 1900 and 2000 despite the continued growth of the city as a whole.

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

By 2000, the total population had more than doubled from its 1900 level to 8,009,185. In contrast to the overall trend, Manhattan's population fell to 1,538,096, and its proportion dropped sharply to just 19%. The other four districts, however, expanded to 6,471,089 residents, or 81% of the city's population. Thus, population growth increasingly shifted away from Manhattan towards the other districts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The student has provided an exceptionally thorough and accurate response to the task. All parts of the prompt are fully addressed, including the overall population growth and the shifting distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts across the three reference years (1800, 1900, and 2000). Key features—such as Manhattan holding the vast majority in 1800 (76%) before dropping to a minority share (19%) by 2000, and the contrasting rapid expansion of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island—are clearly selected and effectively compared. Data is cited accurately to support every key point without relying on memorised templates or unnecessary filler. The response meets all the requirements for a top-tier band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response demonstrates a high level of coherence and cohesion. Ideas are logically sequenced, starting with an introductory overview, moving into a general summary of trends, and then breaking down the data chronologically into well-structured body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'whereas', 'Notably', 'Meanwhile', and 'In contrast to' are used skilfully and naturally without feeling mechanical or overdone. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct time periods and thematic comparisons, ensuring seamless progression throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student utilises a wide, natural, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. Less common and precise lexical items such as 'distribution', 'proportion', 'accounted for', 'substantially', and 'shifted away' are deployed with a strong awareness of style and collocation. Word choices are accurate throughout, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The phrasing is polished and contributes significantly to the clarity and professionalism of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The writer incorporates participial phrases ('of whom 60,515 lived in Manhattan'), subordinate clauses ('although its share fell to 54%'), and comparative structures smoothly. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, with only very occasional, minor slips. Punctuation, tense consistency, and subject-verb agreement are meticulously handled throughout the text, demonstrating an excellent command of English grammar.

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