Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23

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 compare the population of New York City and show how the distribution of residents between Manhattan and the other four districts changed in the years 1800, 1900 and 2000.

Overall, New York City experienced remarkable population growth over the two centuries. While Manhattan contained the majority of the city's population in the early years, its share declined significantly by 2000, as the other four districts became home to most of the residents.

In 1800, New York City had a total population of only 79,216 people. Of these, 60,515 lived in Manhattan, accounting for 76% of the total population, while the remaining 18,701 residents (24%) lived in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

By 1900, the city's population had increased dramatically to 3,437,202. Manhattan's population rose to 1,850,093, although its proportion of the total population fell to 54%. In contrast, the population of the other four districts grew sharply to 1,587,109, representing 46% of the city's residents.

The upward trend continued in 2000, when New York City's population reached 8,009,185. However, Manhattan's population decreased to 1,538,096, making up only 19% of the total. Meanwhile, the other districts experienced substantial growth, with their combined population climbing to 6,471,089, or 81% of all residents.

In conclusion, although New York City's population expanded enormously over the 200-year period, population growth became increasingly concentrated outside Manhattan, whose share of the total population declined steadily.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.5

The student has written an excellent response that fully addresses all parts of the task. The main features are clearly identified, including the overall population growth of New York City and the shift in population distribution between Manhattan and the other four districts. Accurate comparisons are made across the three given years (1800, 1900, and 2000), utilizing precise figures and percentages from the tables. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the essential trends without unnecessary repetition of every minor detail. The response demonstrates a fully developed understanding of the visual data, perfectly matching the official band 9 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.5

The response is exceptionally well-organized, with a logical progression of ideas from the initial introduction and overview through to the detailed body paragraphs and concluding summary. Paragraphing is used skillfully, with each body paragraph focusing on a specific time period to maintain clarity and chronological flow. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'In contrast', and 'However' are used naturally and effectively to signal comparisons and contrasts without being mechanical or overused. Reference words are handled accurately, ensuring the reader effortlessly follows the progression of the data.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range appropriate for an academic report. Vocabulary is used with precision and natural control, featuring strong phrasal verbs and descriptive adjectives such as 'remarkable population growth', 'declined significantly', 'increased dramatically', and 'substantital growth'. Less common lexical items are integrated smoothly with appropriate collocations and style. Word choice is consistently accurate, and spelling is flawless throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

A wide variety of complex structures is used with full flexibility and high accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'making up only 19% of the total', 'while the remaining 18,701 residents lived in...'). Grammar and punctuation are controlled with exemplary precision, showcasing a high level of syntactic variety without any impediment to communication.

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