Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07
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 5.5)
The map shows the harbour and the number of buildings and sites in 2000 and today. Overall according to the map there are some changes in the structure of new map as compared to before. The first map illustrates the Porth Harbour in 2000, in the west there are two car parks one was beside the main road to the west and the other was in the south beside the road which leads towards life boat, there in the corner, at the end was a disused castle and a public beach. Shower & toilets and also Marina private yachts could be seen in the west near the Dock and a public beach. To the east of the harbour passenger ferries could be seen and if we went to the west in the south we could encountered fishing boats. Today, the changes have been made in the Harbour, the car parks now had linked with the main road and there is an extra shower & toilets room also with the other carpark. Fishing boats and private yachts has switched places. An extra dock has also constructed and new cafes & shops . The castle had replaced by the hotel and also the beach has become its private property. The number of passenger ferries has also increased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour in both 2000 and the present day. You successfully identified key changes, such as the addition of the hotel, the new dock, and the relocation of the fishing boats and yachts. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the shift from a more industrial/public focus to a more commercial/private one. To improve, ensure your overview highlights the most striking changes rather than just stating that changes occurred. Additionally, some descriptions of locations are slightly confusing, which makes it harder for the reader to follow the spatial changes clearly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the flow between sentences is often mechanical. You rely on simple transitions and sometimes struggle with referencing; for example, phrases like 'if we went to the west in the south' are awkward and disrupt the logical progression of the description. The use of cohesive devices is limited, and the paragraphing could be more effective by grouping related features (e.g., infrastructure vs. facilities) rather than listing them sequentially. Improving the use of linking words such as 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'in contrast' would help create a smoother narrative.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the harbour features clearly. You use relevant terms like 'passenger ferries,' 'private yachts,' and 'disused castle.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the car parks now had linked' (should be 'have been linked') and 'the castle had replaced by the hotel' (should be 'has been replaced'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to maps and urban development, such as 'transformed,' 'expanded,' 'converted,' or 'situated,' rather than relying on basic verbs like 'seen' or 'made.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('Fishing boats and private yachts has switched') and passive voice construction errors ('An extra dock has also constructed'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas and spacing. While these errors do not completely obscure the meaning, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on mastering the passive voice for describing changes, as this is essential for Task 1 reports.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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