Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The plans illustrate the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has been considerably modernised, with several facilities added for tourists, while some original features, such as the fishing area and castle, have been replaced or changed. The area has become more focused on leisure and tourism.

In 2000, the western side of the harbour contained two car parks, showers and toilets, a marina for private yachts, and a separate area for fishing boats. To the north-east, there was a dock and a passenger ferry service, while a public beach was located further north. A lifeboat station was situated near the road in the southern part of the harbour, and a castle was found on the south-eastern side.

Today, the harbour has undergone several developments. The fishing boat area has been moved to the north-west, where new showers and toilets have been built, while the previous fishing boat area has been converted into a larger marina for private yachts. In addition, cafés and shops have been constructed along the road near the lifeboat station, providing more facilities for visitors.

Another major change is that the castle in the south-east has been removed and replaced by a hotel. The southern beach area has also become private rather than public. However, the dock, passenger ferries, lifeboat station, main road, and northern public beach have remained largely unchanged. Overall, Porth Harbour has developed from a mainly fishing and transport-based harbour into a tourist beloved destination.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends, noting the shift from a fishing-based harbour to a tourist-focused one. You have successfully selected and reported the key features, such as the relocation of the fishing area, the expansion of the marina, and the replacement of the castle with a hotel. The comparisons between 2000 and the present day are accurate and well-integrated. The information is logically grouped, and you have avoided listing every single detail, focusing instead on the most significant changes, which is exactly what is required for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is very well-organized. You have used a logical structure, starting with an introduction and a clear overview, followed by two body paragraphs that group the changes effectively. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Another major change', and 'However' is natural and helps the reader follow the progression of the description. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial state from the subsequent developments. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the different parts of the harbour is clearly articulated throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes. Phrases such as 'considerably modernised', 'converted into', and 'remained largely unchanged' are used accurately. You show an awareness of collocation and style, which makes the report read professionally. While the vocabulary is precise and effective, it is consistently accurate rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate slightly more varied descriptive language, but your current range is more than sufficient to convey the information clearly and precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is strong throughout the response. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('have been built', 'has been removed') and subordinate clauses, which are essential for describing changes in a formal context. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The accuracy is high, and the range of structures used is well-suited to the task, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.