Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-06
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 plan compare the layout of Port Harbor in 2000 with its current appearance.
Overall, the harbor has undergone considerable redevelopment, While the main road, dock, passenger ferries, lifeboat station, and northern public beach have remained largely unchanged, several new facilities have been added, and the disused castle has been replaced by a hotel with a private beach.
In 2000, the western side of the harbor contained one car park, a block of showers and toilets, a marina for private yachts, and an area for fishing boats. In the south east, there was a lifeboat station beside the road, while a disused castle stood on a small peninsula, with a public beach extending along the southern coast. The eastern side of the harbor featured a dock for passenger ferries, and another public beach was located at the northeast.
Today, the harbor has been expanded and modernized. A second car park an an additional block of showers and toilets have been constructed at the western side. The fishing boat area has been relocated further north, whereas the marina has remained in its original position. A new complex of cafes and shops has been built beside the lifeboat station. In addition, an extra pier has been added to the dock, increasing the number of berths available for boats. The most significant change is that the former disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and the southern public beach has become a private beach reserved for the hotel guests.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the changes and successfully selected and reported the main features of the harbor. The comparison between the 2000 layout and the current state is logical and well-supported by specific details from the diagrams. You correctly identified the most significant changes, such as the redevelopment of the castle into a hotel and the expansion of the dock and car parking facilities. The information is accurate and well-organized, ensuring the reader can easily follow the transformation of the harbor over time.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In 2000', 'Today', 'whereas', and 'In addition', which help to guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the overview, the description of the past, and the description of the present. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth, making the report easy to read and follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a task of this nature. Terms such as 'redevelopment', 'modernized', 'relocated', and 'berths' are used accurately. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the changes precisely. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly more than adequate for a high-scoring response. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice appropriately ('has been replaced', 'have been constructed') to describe the changes, which is suitable for this type of report. There is a minor error in the final paragraph ('A second car park an an additional block'), which appears to be a typo, but otherwise, the grammar is highly accurate. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and sentence structure is strong throughout the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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