Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-09
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 picture illustrates the harbour map comparing the current harbour design with the design of porth harbour back in 2000 ,the harbor in 2000 HASfew docks than now which shows the evolution in transport system lead to increase the number of passenger ferries.
There is change in location of shower toilet which was in north to car parking area changes to two shower and toilet in the north and south of that car parking area
There is addition of cafes and shops in west of place carrying lifeboats
The castle which was disused in 2000 is now change into a luxury hotel for the passengers and the beach which was governed by government is now transformed into private beach
Moreover the marine private yachts and fishing boats have exchanged their places
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the response. While the main features of the harbour are identified, the overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. The description of the changes is somewhat mechanical and lacks the necessary detail to fully address the task. To improve, you should aim to provide a more comprehensive overview in the introduction and ensure that all major changes are described with sufficient detail and comparison, ensuring the response reaches the required length.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into short, somewhat disjointed paragraphs. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly; for example, the transition between the description of the shower/toilet facilities and the addition of cafes is abrupt. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'that car parking area'. To improve, you should use a wider range of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'furthermore', 'in contrast', 'subsequently') to guide the reader through the information and ensure that the progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. Phrases like 'governed by government' are repetitive and slightly unnatural. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'place carrying lifeboats' instead of 'lifeboat station'. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology related to maps and urban development, such as 'converted', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed', and avoid repeating the same words within short sentences.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('in north', 'in west'), subject-verb agreement ('evolution in transport system lead to'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple or contain run-on structures. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including the correct use of articles and prepositions. Additionally, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice, which are particularly useful when describing changes in a map task.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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