Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The two maps illustrate the main developments that have taken place in Porth Harbour between the year 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has undergone significant commercialization and infrastructure expansion, transforming from a simple fishing and historical site into a more tourism-focused facility with increased amenities.

In the western sector, the positions of the fishing boats and the marina for private yachts have been swapped. The fishing boats area is now located in the northwest, while the marina has been expanded and moved to the southwest. To accommodate visitors, an additional car park, as well as a second set of showers and toilets, have been constructed alongside the new marina area.

In the central and eastern sections, additional docks have been built in the northern water body to accommodate more passenger ferries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a clear overview of the changes, identifying the shift toward commercialization and tourism. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the analysis. While the main features are identified, the description of the eastern section is quite brief, and the report lacks a detailed comparison of the entire site, such as the removal of the old lifeboat station or the addition of the hotel and apartments. To improve, you must ensure you meet the word count by providing a more comprehensive description of all visual data presented in the maps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location. Cohesive devices such as 'In the western sector' and 'In the central and eastern sections' are used effectively to guide the reader through the spatial changes. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is seamless and that the information within paragraphs is balanced in terms of detail.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps, such as 'commercialization', 'infrastructure expansion', and 'accommodate'. The word choice is generally precise and fits the academic context well. There are no significant errors in spelling or collocation. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'built' or 'moved' to avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider lexical range, such as 'constructed', 'erected', 'relocated', or 'shifted'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is accurate, and you have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Examples like 'The fishing boats area is now located in the northwest, while the marina has been expanded' show good control over compound-complex sentences. Punctuation is used correctly throughout the text. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, aim to include a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions or participle clauses, to describe the changes more fluidly.

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

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