Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-29

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 7.0)

The maps compare the transformation of Porth Harbour in 2000 to today.

Overall, the harbour in 2000 had lesser facilities as these change in today's version of harbour with the introduction of new passenger ferries at the dock, a hotel in the place of castle and some cafes and shops near the south side beside the road. Fishing boats and Marina are in new locations switched between each other and a new road bifurcation leads to another showers and toilets and car park in present.

In the past the harbour had only one showers and toilets, and car park area, whereas today there are two showers and toilets, and car park. Next to showers and toilets, and car park Marina (private yachts) is located in the past. However, in today's Harbour we see Marina (private yachts) replaced with fishing boats and vice versa. The dock has a new passenger ferry, making it three in the present compared to two in past.

On the south, right next to the road there is new addition of cafes and shops right beside lifeboat, where there was nothing in the past. Public beach has been transformed into private beach for the hotel. Castle (disused) has been replaced by a hotel which is linked to the road now on the south side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour and made relevant comparisons between the two time periods. You covered the key changes, such as the replacement of the castle with a hotel, the addition of shops and cafes, and the relocation of the marina and fishing boats. However, the overview is slightly weak; it lists details rather than synthesizing the most significant trends, such as the overall modernization and commercialization of the area. To improve, ensure your overview highlights the 'big picture' changes rather than just listing specific additions. The information is accurate, and the comparison is clear throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific areas. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'however' and 'whereas', to contrast the two periods. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the second paragraph feels like a list of changes rather than a cohesive narrative. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would help improve the logical progression of your ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'transformation', 'bifurcation', and 'replaced'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'lesser facilities' (which should be 'fewer facilities') and 'in present' (which should be 'at present'). While you attempt to use more specific vocabulary, some phrasing is slightly unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that your word forms are grammatically correct in context. Overall, your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the harbour', 'a hotel', 'the dock') and pluralization ('one showers and toilets'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'Fishing boats and Marina are in new locations switched between each other'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall fluency. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, and try to incorporate more varied complex structures to demonstrate greater control over your writing.

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