Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-21
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 give information about the population of New York City as a whole and the population of Manhattan and the other four districts between 1800 and 2000.
Overall, the population of New York City increased considerably during the period. However, the proportion of people living in Manhattan decreased, while the other four districts experienced a significant increase.
In 1800, the total population of New York City was only 79,216. Manhattan had 60,515 people, which accounted for 76% of the city's population. In comparison, the other districts had a population of just 18,701, or 24% of the total.
By 1900, the city's population had risen dramatically to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population also increased substantially to 1,850,093. However, its share of the total population fell to 54%. At the same time, the population of the other districts increased to 1,587,109, representing 46% of the city's population.
In 2000, New York City's population reached 8,009,185. Interestingly, the population of Manhattan decreased slightly from 1,850,093 in 1900 to 1,538,096, and its percentage fell considerably to only 19%. In contrast, the other four districts had grown to 6,471,089 people, accounting for 81% of the total population.
Thus, although New York City's overall population grew greatly, the population gradually shifted away from Manhattan towards the other four districts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The student fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting and highlighting the main features of the population changes in New York City from 1800 to 2000. All necessary data points from the visual aids—including the total population figures, Manhattan's population and percentages, and the corresponding statistics for the other districts—are accurately reported. Furthermore, effective and relevant comparisons are made across the given years, such as noting how Manhattan's proportion dropped significantly from 76% to 19% while the other districts experienced a massive surge to 81%. The response includes a clear overview in the second paragraph that effectively summarises the overarching trends.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is exceptionally well-organised with a logical progression of ideas from 1800 to 2000. Paragraphing is used logically, separating the introduction, overview, and individual decades into distinct, readable sections. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully and unobtrusively, such as 'However', 'In comparison', and 'In contrast', which facilitate smooth transitions between contrasting ideas and geographical areas. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring the reader easily tracks the shifts in population between Manhattan and the other districts.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource appropriate for an academic task, utilising precise vocabulary such as 'considerably', 'proportion', 'proportionately', 'dramatically', and 'substantially'. Less common lexical items are used naturally and accurately (e.g., 'accounted for', 'representing', 'shifted away'). Word choice and collocation are strong throughout, with no noticeable inaccuracies or spelling errors that interfere with communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Manhattan had 60,515 people, which accounted for 76% of the city\'s population' and 'although New York City\'s overall population grew greatly, the population gradually shifted...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, showcasing excellent control over tense consistency when describing historical data. Punctuation is accurate, and syntax remains sophisticated yet entirely clear.
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