Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show a harbour in 2000 and how it looks today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

 

Student answer (Band 4.5)

We have a picture of harbour if we compare these two pictures we have to realize that there is a huge difference between 2000s harbour and todays harbour , okay now we have more luxurious than before like today we have two docks instead of one , also we have 3 passenger fairies, that we dont have more in 2000s , in today's luxuries develop like we have fancy restaurants, cafe ,shops and private hotels , if we compare these things we have to realize that in todays age everything is well developed and luxury as compare to 2000s , also we dont have private beaches before , but now these are everywhere , in 2000s people were use Marina private yacht but now it replace with private beaches and hotels , if i overall campars with 2000s with now we have much facilities now than before , and i think we should have to live happy in every ages as campare to compare things with past

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad change from a less developed harbour to one with more visitor facilities, and you mention the hotel and the change in beach use. However, the response only partially reports the map: it gives opinions about luxury and how people should live rather than describing the main spatial changes. Several details are inaccurate, including “two docks” and “3 passenger fairies”; the maps show an additional jetty and boats, while passenger ferries are labelled only in the earlier plan. The marina and fishing-boat areas switch locations, but the marina is not replaced by private beaches and hotels. To improve, give a concise overview and accurately compare the key changes, such as the relocated marina, added cafés and shops, and the castle becoming a hotel.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has a basic chronological comparison, using phrases such as “in 2000s” and “in today’s,” so the reader can recognise that you are discussing two time periods. However, ideas are crowded into one long paragraph and do not follow a clear sequence around the harbour. Repeated linking phrases—“if we compare,” “also,” and “we have to realize”—make the progression repetitive, while “okay now” and the final comment about living happily interrupt the map description. Organise the response into an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph grouping the main changes. Use clear location-based links, such as “in the north,” “to the south,” and “by contrast,” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “harbour,” “Marina,” “private beaches,” “hotels,” and “facilities,” which helps communicate the general subject. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unsuitable for a formal map summary. “Passenger fairies” appears to be a mistaken form of “passenger ferries,” and “luxuries develop” does not clearly describe the facilities shown. Repeated use of “luxury,” “things,” and “we have” also reduces precision. Choose vocabulary that names the actual changes and locations, such as “was converted into,” “was relocated,” and “visitor amenities.” Check spelling and collocations, and avoid conversational expressions such as “okay now.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example with “if we compare these two pictures,” but the response relies mainly on long, loosely joined clauses and shows limited control of sentence structure. Errors in verb forms and patterns include “people were use Marina” and “it replace with private beaches and hotels.” Articles, plurals, and tense are also inconsistent in phrases such as “a picture of harbour” and “in 2000s harbour.” Punctuation is weak: several ideas run together with commas, making relationships unclear. Practise writing shorter, complete sentences and use consistent past and present forms—for example, “The marina was moved south, while fishing boats now occupy the northern basin.”

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