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 a private yacht marina to provide increased capacity. In the eastern peninsula, as discussed, the former castle was converted 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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the harbour's transformation. You have clearly identified the key changes, such as the conversion of the castle, the addition of the marina, and the new amenities. The overview provides a good summary of the shift toward tourism. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise. For instance, you mention the 'second car park' but do not explicitly state that it was removed or replaced, which is a key detail. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt requirements comprehensively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location (east and north). The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices like 'In detail,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'In addition' effectively to link sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific details. The flow is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the overall cohesion further.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps, such as 'remodeling,' 'privatization,' 'disused,' and 'facilitate.' The language is precise enough to convey the changes accurately. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication. To improve, you could incorporate more varied synonyms for 'change' or 'add' to avoid repetition and show a wider range of lexical flexibility. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient and used with a good degree of accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'In order to incorporate more space... the harbour was equipped with...' and 'Throughout the period, many notable changes can be observed.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled well, and the sentence construction is clear. While the structures are correct, incorporating a slightly wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice variations or more advanced relative clauses, would help elevate the score further.

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

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