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 access to the beach 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 transition towards tourism and recreational activities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have provided a clear and accurate summary of the changes between the two maps. You successfully identified the main features, such as the conversion of the castle, the privatization of the beach, and the addition of the yacht marina and new dock. The overview paragraph effectively highlights the key trends, specifically the shift toward tourism and recreation. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the information is logically selected and reported. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are explicitly linked to the 2000 map to emphasize the transformation more clearly throughout the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response 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 a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In detail,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'In addition' to connect your points. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different areas of the harbour. The referencing is generally clear, though occasionally the flow could be improved by using more varied transition markers to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in the second paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'remodeling,' 'privatization,' 'disused,' and 'facilitate.' The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary related to urban planning or geographical change, such as 'repurposed,' 'infrastructure,' or 'extensive redevelopment,' to show greater flexibility and precision in your descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a good 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, and your control over punctuation is solid. Most sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not cause any difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, to demonstrate even greater grammatical control.

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