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)

Port Harbour might not look different from how it looked like 20 years ago. But, if you look closely you'll notice the small changes that were made to make this place much more appealing.

In the 2000's, there were less boats and definitely less docks. Now two docks instead of only one. This definitely saves more time for passengers to depart and to return. Today, instead of a small space for private yachts, it was switched with the bigger space that was preserved for the fishing boats. Now that they switched places, private yachts have more space now so it decreases the risk of them being damaged. Showers and toilets as well as car park remained the same.

Today we added cafes and shops for foreigners to enjoy while waiting for their departure time. Or to have a drink after their trip. Which also gives us a chance to introduce the hotel that was built instead of the disused castle. Which immediately offers a place for passengers to stay the night after their long trip without any trouble.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the task by identifying key changes between 2000 and the present. However, the tone is overly informal and subjective (e.g., 'might not look different', 'definitely saves more time'). The report lacks a clear overview of the main trends, instead jumping straight into specific details. While the main features are covered, the analysis is somewhat speculative rather than purely descriptive. To improve, focus on objective reporting of the visual data rather than interpreting the motives behind the changes, such as assuming the purpose of the hotel or the specific reasons for the yacht relocation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'But, if you look closely' and 'Today we added' create a conversational tone that is not ideal for an Academic Task 1 report. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the use of 'us' and 'we', which is inappropriate for a formal report. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring a more formal, objective tone would significantly enhance the flow and cohesion of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and academic register required for higher bands. The student relies on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'small changes', 'bigger space', and 'switched places'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'switched with the bigger space'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise, descriptive vocabulary related to maps and urban development, such as 'expanded', 'replaced', 'converted', or 'relocated', while avoiding informal language like 'definitely' and 'foreigners'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical issues, such as 'In the 2000's' (incorrect apostrophe), 'there were less boats' (should be 'fewer'), and sentence fragments like 'Or to have a drink after their trip.' The use of 'which' to start sentences is also stylistically weak. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequent minor errors and the informal sentence construction prevent the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and avoiding sentence fragments will improve the accuracy.

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

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