Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-25
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 7.5)
The two maps illustrate the significant changes made for the development of Porth Harbour over a period of time from the year 2000 to the present day.
Overall, the harbour has been modernised for the tourists. The various new amenities are added including extra docks, car parks, showers and toilets, Whereas the disused castle has been converted into a hotel with a private beach.
In 2000, harbour had a public beach at the north-eastern side of the layout and a dock which has two passenger ferries. Nearby, a private yacht marina is located and the north-western site of the map was occupied by a shower and toilet compartment. There were two car parks, both were connected to the main road. Beside the lower car park, a fishing boats area was situated. Additionally, there was an unused castle at the south-eastern corner that had access to a private beach.
At present, the position of fishing boats and private yacht marina has been exchanged. Moreover, the number of docks, passenger ferries and showers and toilets compartments have been increased. Furthermore, the unused castle area has been renovated and converted into a hotel with the addition of cafes and shops. The private beach is now used by the hotel. The location of lifeboat remained same, however it is now connected to the hotel by a road.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all key features of the harbour development. You have successfully identified the main changes, such as the conversion of the castle, the expansion of facilities, and the relocation of the marina and fishing area. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for example, you mention that the number of docks has increased, but specifying the exact number or the nature of the change (e.g., from one to three) would provide more analytical depth. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the past and present states. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'In 2000', 'At present', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For instance, in the second paragraph, the sentence structure is a bit list-like. Improving the flow between sentences by using more varied linking phrases would enhance the overall cohesion of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'modernised', 'converted', 'renovated', and 'amenities'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'shower and toilet compartment' (which sounds slightly unnatural) and 'the position of fishing boats and private yacht marina has been exchanged' (where 'swapped' or 'relocated' might be more precise). Despite these minor issues, the vocabulary is adequate to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While there are some grammatical errors, such as 'harbour had' (missing an article) and 'the number of... have been increased' (subject-verb agreement error), these do not impede communication. You successfully use passive voice to describe the changes, which is appropriate for this task type. To improve, focus on article usage and subject-verb agreement. Most sentences are clear, and the punctuation is generally used correctly, supporting the overall readability of the report.
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