Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-05

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 two maps illustrate a gradual transformation of the Porth Harbour from 2000 to its present time.

Overall, there has been a considerable change including the remodeling of the former disused castle, privatization of the beach and a few minor developments.

In detail, to the east of the main road, showers/toilets were mirrored to the south of the once second car park. The former area for ship mooring was replaced by the private yacht marina to provide increased capacity. In the eastern peninsula, as discussed the former castle was reinvented into a hotel and the beach was privatized. Meanwhile, the usage was specifically limited for the hotel guests. In addition, cafes and shops were installed near the road along the lifeboat station.

In the northern region, in order to incorporate more space for ship mooring, the harbour was equipped with one more dock on the west of the passenger ferries. However, passenger ferries and the lifeboat station had no change and were in their original position. Throughout the period, many significant changes can be observed in the harbour to shift towards tourism and leisure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour transformation. The overview clearly highlights the shift toward tourism and leisure, and you have provided specific details regarding the castle, beach, and marina. The comparison between the two time periods is consistent throughout the response. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial descriptions are precise; for example, the mention of 'showers/toilets were mirrored to the south' is slightly ambiguous. Overall, you have covered all parts of the task well and provided a clear summary of the significant changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location. You use cohesive devices such as 'In detail', 'Meanwhile', and 'In addition' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is generally clear. To improve, ensure that transitions between sentences are varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in some sections, but overall, the structure is very effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps, such as 'remodeling', 'privatized', 'reinvented', and 'incorporate'. The use of 'disused' and 'capacity' shows an awareness of style. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common synonyms to describe the changes, such as 'underwent a transformation' or 'converted into'. Your current range is sufficient for the task and allows for clear, precise communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is generally good. There are minor issues with phrasing, such as 'the usage was specifically limited for the hotel guests', which could be more naturally expressed. However, these errors are infrequent and do not cause any difficulty for the reader. You demonstrate a solid command of grammar, and your ability to construct complex sentences to describe spatial relationships is a strength.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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