Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-04
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 5.0)
The picture illustrate Porth Harbour in past 2000 and now today in present.
The area has changed widely in recent years. The size of the place is same where the things have now changed .There are many new shops utilized in the place a fewer modification in the old spots and also alteration of them have also been done.
Firstly i will talked about the east corner side in past there was a castle which was not in used but now it has become a hotel and the public beach which was free for everyone is now also a part of hotel only access to them. In past the road to life boat was clear but now there are cafes and shops as well. After that the dock side has also become bigger rather than in past.
Secondly i will talk about the alteration of Marina and fishing boats both places are no replaced with each other as the big one is now fishing boat side. Thirdly last but not the least there is a increase in the shower and toilets in past there was only one place for showering and toilets beside the car parking but now they have open another spot of showering and toilets in the south side car park it is located over beside it.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the harbour, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel and the expansion of the dock. However, the description is somewhat disorganized and lacks a clear overview. While the student identifies key changes, the reporting is occasionally imprecise, such as the vague reference to 'things have now changed' or 'a fewer modification'. To reach a higher band, the student should provide a more structured summary that highlights the most significant transformations (e.g., the shift from a public space to a commercialized tourist area) rather than listing details in a disjointed manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay uses basic cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Thirdly', but these are used in a mechanical and sometimes repetitive way. The paragraphing is present but the internal flow of ideas within paragraphs is weak. For instance, the transition between the description of the castle and the road to the lifeboat is abrupt. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'alteration of them have also been done', which lacks a clear antecedent. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly improve the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'place', 'things', and 'side'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'utilized in the place' and 'not in used'. While the student attempts to describe specific features like 'Marina' and 'fishing boats', the lack of precise descriptive language (e.g., 'redeveloped', 'transformed', 'expanded') limits the score. To improve, the student should focus on using more varied and accurate vocabulary related to urban planning and geographical changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with verb tense (e.g., 'i will talked', 'both places are no replaced'), subject-verb agreement, and article usage. The sentence structures are predominantly simple or contain errors when attempting complexity. For example, 'the size of the place is same where the things have now changed' is awkward and grammatically incorrect. A higher band requires a better mix of complex structures and a significant reduction in basic errors, particularly regarding tense consistency and sentence construction.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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