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 Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present time.
Overall, there has been a considerable change including the remodeling of the former disused castle, the privatization of the beach and a few minor developments.
In detail, to the east of the main road, showers/toilets were added 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 to 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 notable changes can be observed in the harbour to facilitate a shift towards tourism and recreational activities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel, the addition of the yacht marina, and the new amenities. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with specific details from the maps. The comparison between 2000 and the present is well-handled, and the trends are clearly described. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial references are precise; for example, describing the location of the new dock as 'west of the passenger ferries' is good, but ensure the overall summary captures the full extent of the changes without missing minor details.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location or theme. You use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'In addition', and 'Throughout the period' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a repetitive structure at the start of sentences, but overall, the flow is very natural and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'remodeling', 'privatization', 'reinvented', and 'facilitate' appropriately. The language is precise and fits the context of describing map changes well. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to urban planning or geographical change, such as 'undergone extensive redevelopment' or 'transformed into a commercial hub', to show even greater flexibility and precision in your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
Your grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You handle passive voice constructions well, such as 'was replaced by' and 'were installed', which is appropriate for this type of task. There are very few errors, and those that exist do not hinder understanding. To reach the highest band, ensure that your complex sentences are consistently error-free and demonstrate a wider variety of structures, such as using more varied subordinate clauses or participle phrases to describe the changes more fluidly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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