Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-31

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 illustration displays the changes made to the Porth Harbour from 2000 onwards, with great updates that certainly stick out.

First and foremost, it is evident that not only were some new additions to the area seen, but certain places also got switched up in the process of renovating the Porth Harbour. For example, the Marina that is designated for private yachts took the place of the fishing boats site. Now, a greater area was provided for storing private yachts, while fishing boats held a smaller capacity.

Furthermore, some adjustments were made to the road. The car park was no longer attached to the road leading to the lifeboat and hotel. Rather, an additional junction was built into the main road leading to the car park. Up north, another set of showers and toilets was provided. Moreover, to the west of the lifeboat, an assortment of cafes and shops were added right along the coast. Over and above that, on the opposing side, a new dock was added tending to the ships leaving and arriving at the harbour, expanding the amount of ships to be accommodated. A castle that previously remained unused was renovated into a functioning hotel and a junction was added to the road allowing for entry. Now, the private beach is designated for visitors of the hotel.

In conclusion, many changes were made to the Porth Harbour over the past couple years, mainly regarding the route to the carpark, as well as a couple upgrades and replacements.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the harbour's transformation. You have identified the key changes, such as the conversion of the fishing boat area to a marina, the addition of shops and cafes, and the repurposing of the castle. The overview is present, though it could be more analytical by highlighting the most significant shift (e.g., the transition from a functional fishing port to a leisure-oriented facility). You have successfully compared the two time periods, meeting the requirements of the task well. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview synthesises the information rather than just listing changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'Over and above that' to link your points. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different aspects of the harbour's development. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is clear, and the reader can easily follow the spatial changes described. Overall, the structure is coherent and supports the development of your response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'designated', 'renovated', 'junction', and 'accommodated'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds precision to your description. However, some word choices are slightly informal or imprecise, such as 'got switched up' or 'great updates'. Improving the sophistication of your collocations would enhance your score. Despite these minor issues, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The car park was no longer attached to the road leading to the lifeboat and hotel.' Your control over grammar is generally good, and most sentences are error-free. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'expanding the amount of ships' (should be 'number of ships') and 'past couple years' (missing 'of'). These errors are infrequent and do not cause difficulty for the reader. You have demonstrated a good command of punctuation and sentence construction throughout the response.

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