Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

These plans illustrate how Porth Harbour looks today in contrast to the year 2000.

Between the year 2000 and today there have been a few changes at Port Harbour. Firstly, there is now a hotel at the harbour which also has a private beach. Previously, this was a disused castle and a public beach. Additionally, there is now a cafe and shops at the harbour beside the lifeboat. Moreover, the dock has increased in size.

Notably, some things have remained present however they have changed location. The carpark, showers and toilets, marina with private yachts, fishing boats and public beach all remain there today as does the aforementioned lifeboat and dock.

Although some things remain the same such as the lifeboat and passenger ferries location, some areas are now different while the carpark remains the same. Whilst the marina and fishing boats remain at the harbour, they have changed locations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response identifies the main features of the harbour, such as the hotel, shops, and the expansion of the dock. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, which is a requirement for Band 7+. The description of the changes is somewhat repetitive, and the analysis of the spatial changes is confusing. For instance, stating that the carpark, showers, and toilets 'remain there today' is inaccurate, as the map shows these were removed or relocated. The response would benefit from a more precise comparison of the layout changes rather than listing items in a way that contradicts the visual evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive statements. For example, the third and fourth paragraphs repeat information about the lifeboat and the carpark, which creates a sense of circularity rather than a smooth flow of information. Cohesive devices like 'notably', 'although', and 'whilst' are used, but they are sometimes applied to contradictory information, making the overall argument difficult to follow. Improving the grouping of information—perhaps by grouping 'new additions' versus 'relocated features'—would significantly improve the coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands. Phrases like 'some things have remained present' and 'some things remain the same' are repetitive and basic. There is an attempt to use descriptive language, such as 'disused castle' and 'aforementioned', but the overall range is limited. To improve, you should use more specific verbs to describe geographical changes, such as 'transformed', 'converted', 'expanded', or 'relocated', rather than relying on 'changed' or 'remained'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentences. While the grammar is generally clear, there are some awkward phrasings and minor errors. For example, 'how Porth Harbour looks today in contrast to the year 2000' is grammatically sound, but the sentence 'some things have remained present however they have changed location' requires a semicolon or a conjunction before 'however'. The use of 'whilst' and 'although' shows an attempt at complex structures, but the repetition of ideas within these structures makes the writing feel less sophisticated. Focus on ensuring that complex sentences are used to add information rather than repeating it.

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

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