Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The two maps illustrate a gradual transformation of the Porth Harbour from 2000 the 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 7.0

The response effectively covers the main features of the maps. You have identified the key changes, such as the transformation of the castle into a hotel, the privatization of the beach, and the expansion of the marina and docking facilities. The overview provides a clear summary of the trend towards tourism and leisure. However, some descriptions are slightly imprecise; for instance, stating that showers/toilets were 'mirrored' is a bit vague, and the spatial references could be more precise to help the reader visualize the changes. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the significant developments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In detail,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'In addition' to link your points. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the phrase 'as discussed the former castle' is a bit awkward. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour, which contributes to the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'remodeling,' 'privatization,' 'reinvented,' and 'capacity.' There is an attempt to use less common items, which is appropriate for this task. While there are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice—such as 'mirrored' to describe the relocation of facilities—these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is generally precise enough to convey the intended meaning regarding the structural changes in the harbour.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is generally good. There are a few minor slips, such as 'from 2000 the present time' (missing 'to') and 'the usage was specifically limited for the hotel guests' (which is slightly unnatural phrasing). However, these errors are infrequent and do not cause any difficulty for the reader. The variety of structures used is sufficient to support a clear and professional tone.

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

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