Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given map illustrate the layout of harbour in year 2000 and its condition today.

Overall, it is evident that the harbour had undergone through modernisation such as , modern buildings and more shops and cafes.

Moving to the data, In year 2000, at the north west side there was area for private yachts which have been replaced by fishing boat area. Right next it is showers and car part which remained the same. Moving to the north east side although, pubic beach is on same end deck has been constructed to two areas.

Turning to the remaining side of map. Although, car park showed no change new public toilets have been built in recent years. In the centre of new shops and cafes have been introduced. The life boat area stayed at the same location. Lastly, At the south-east end castle was demolished and is now replaced by hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the harbour, including the key changes such as the replacement of the private yacht area and the demolition of the castle. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic and lacks a clear, comprehensive summary of the most significant trends. While the response identifies several changes, the description of the layout is occasionally imprecise (e.g., 'deck has been constructed to two areas' is unclear). To reach a higher band, you should ensure that all comparisons are clearly articulated and that the overview highlights the most striking transformations, such as the shift from a more private/industrial focus to a commercial/tourist-oriented harbour.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the description. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or inaccurate. For instance, the phrase 'Moving to the north east side although' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. Additionally, the transition 'Turning to the remaining side of map' is slightly unnatural. While there is an overall progression, the linking between sentences could be smoother and more varied to avoid a repetitive structure. Improving the range of transition signals would enhance the cohesion of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the changes effectively. You use relevant terms like 'modernisation', 'demolished', and 'replaced'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'pubic beach' (a spelling error that changes the meaning) and 'car part' instead of 'car park'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology for describing spatial changes and developments, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'expanded'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Subject-verb agreement issues are present, such as 'The given map illustrate' (should be 'illustrates') and 'the harbour had undergone through' (the preposition 'through' is unnecessary). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with misplaced commas and missing articles (e.g., 'at the north west side' should be 'in the north-west'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to lower the score. Focusing on article usage and verb tense consistency will significantly improve your accuracy.

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