Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-10
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 5.0)
The plan illustrates the changes of Porth Harbour between 2000 to today.
In 2000, it had much simpler design than it does today. The west side of the map demonstrates the Main road, that related to two different Car park. First Car Parking's road goes to Lifeboat for implication. If i focus on that sector, Public beach and disused Castles are right behind of Life boat.
On the nearby shore, there is a Dock for public boats. Marina private yacht's dock is located on NW.
On the other hand, Porth Harbour is Developed at an astonishing pace. Currently, Main road is related to three other path now. The first paths last parking is Hotel that built on disused Castle. Surprisingly, Cafes and shops are welcomed to travelers. Operators are increased the Dock number for more Passenger boats. For some reasons, Fishing boats and private yacht of Marinas are converted their located positions. Public beach is changed to Private for new Hotel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the addition of the hotel, the expansion of the dock, and the changes to the beach and road layout. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant changes. Some details are unclear, such as the reference to 'Lifeboat for implication' and the vague description of the road network. To improve, you should provide a clear introductory overview that highlights the most striking changes (e.g., the transition from a simpler, more industrial layout to a more commercialized, tourist-oriented one) and ensure that all locations are described with greater spatial precision.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression between sentences is often weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes awkward, such as 'For some reasons' or 'If i focus on that sector', which do not effectively link the ideas. Referencing is occasionally confusing, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes on the map. To improve, focus on using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in contrast') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus to guide the reader through the comparison.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'Operators are increased the Dock number' and 'Cafes and shops are welcomed to travelers'. The use of 'related to' to describe road connections is also imprecise. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it does not demonstrate the flexibility or control required for a higher band. Focusing on more accurate collocations related to map descriptions, such as 'expanded', 'converted into', or 'situated', would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Operators are increased'), incorrect article usage ('the Main road', 'the Dock'), and awkward sentence construction ('First Car Parking's road goes to Lifeboat for implication'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and commas. To achieve a higher score, you need to improve your control over basic grammar, specifically articles and verb tenses, and aim for more error-free complex sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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