Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27

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 5.5)

The plan represent the comparison between harbour in 2000 that is ancient and how it looks today in modern age. it is showing a map comparison.

overall,In porth Harbour there is replacement of places from north to south and some new construction are seen on road sides and some more development of public need based things.

so, if take a look at old porth Harbour showers and toilet are in north side beside it is car parking area on both south and north linked to main road . then comes beach, in ocean there are passenger boats, a separate dock space, along with fishing boats and lifeboat connected to main road and in centre of both sides of beach there is castle.

now, modern harbour there is more development of showers abd toilets attached with main road fishing boats made in north and private yacht in south side ,more cafes and shops being conctructing on road side , a road is develped lead direct to hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the task by identifying the main features of the harbour in 2000 and the present day. However, the description is somewhat fragmented and lacks a clear, professional structure. While the main changes are noted, such as the addition of cafes and the hotel road, the report lacks a cohesive overview that synthesizes the information effectively. The analysis is somewhat superficial, and the lack of clear paragraphing makes it difficult to follow the comparison between the two time periods. To improve, ensure you group information logically—perhaps by comparing the infrastructure and then the facilities—rather than listing features in a disjointed manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response lacks formal paragraphing, which is essential for a clear report. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often informal (e.g., 'so, if take a look at...'). The progression of ideas is mechanical, and the transition between the description of the 2000 harbour and the modern version is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, you should use clear paragraph breaks to separate the introduction/overview from the body paragraphs. Additionally, incorporate a wider range of linking words such as 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' or 'Subsequently' to guide the reader through your comparison.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple descriptors like 'places,' 'things,' and 'side.' There are several spelling errors (e.g., 'abd,' 'conctructing,' 'develped') and awkward phrasing that occasionally hinders the flow of information. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general meaning, it lacks the precision and variety expected for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, focus on using more specific terminology related to maps and urban development, such as 'facilities,' 'amenities,' 'relocated,' or 'expanded.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The plan represent,' 'showers and toilet are') and article usage. Sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and periods. These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause the reader to pause, though the overall message remains understandable. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your accuracy.

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