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 recreational activity spot.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have provided a comprehensive summary of the changes between 2000 and the present day. You successfully identified the key features, such as the relocation of the fishing area, the expansion of the marina, and the addition of tourist-focused facilities like the hotel and shops. The overview clearly captures the shift from a transport-based harbour to a recreational one. You have made effective comparisons throughout, such as noting the conversion of the old fishing area into a larger marina. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the information is well-selected and logically presented, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is well-structured with a clear logical progression. You use a standard introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively by location and development type. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Another major change', and 'However' are used naturally to guide the reader through the comparisons. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the description of the past from the developments of the present. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the two time periods is consistently maintained throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes. Phrases like 'undergone several developments', 'converted into', and 'transport-based harbour' show a good level of precision. You avoid repetition and use a variety of verbs to describe the changes, such as 'replaced', 'moved', and 'constructed'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, perhaps by incorporating more precise collocations or nuanced descriptive language regarding the layout of the harbour. Overall, the lexical range is more than sufficient for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('has been moved', 'have been built') and subordinate clauses ('while the previous fishing boat area has been converted...'), which are essential for this type of task. The grammar is accurate throughout, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly, and the sentence variety keeps the text engaging. The control over tense usage—shifting between the past state and the present developments—is handled with precision and consistency.

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

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