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 two maps illustrate how porth harbour has changed between 2000 and the present day. Overall, The porth harbour is remain same some changing lifeboat is same placed the new cafes and shops built near to. In 2000, the western side of harbour featured showers

and toilets, marina privates yacht and two car parks, one to the north of marina and one to the south of marina. fishing boat were situated centrally, with a lifeboat stationed nearby. To the northeast, a dock and passenger ferries served the harbour. while public beach were placed in north. The castle and the public beach were located in south side. Today, the layout of the western facilities remain similar. with showers, toilets and car parking retain the the same position. However, the new showers and toilets or marina private yachts in the south side. the new cafes and shops built between marina yacts and life boat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the changes between the two maps, but it fails to provide a clear or accurate summary. The overview is confusing and grammatically fragmented, making it difficult to identify the main trends. While some features are mentioned, the description of the changes is often inaccurate or contradictory (e.g., stating the layout remains similar while describing new additions). The response lacks a clear focus on the most significant changes, such as the removal of the beach or the expansion of the marina. To improve, you should focus on grouping information logically—such as what was removed, what was added, and what remained unchanged—rather than listing features in a disjointed manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks logical progression and clear paragraphing. The sentences are often disconnected, and the use of cohesive devices is either missing or misused, such as the abrupt transition 'while public beach were placed in north.' The overview is poorly integrated, and the lack of proper punctuation between sentences makes the text difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, you must use linking words (e.g., 'furthermore,' 'in contrast,' 'consequently') to connect your ideas and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, central theme. Currently, the ideas feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'marina privates yacht' and 'retain the the same position.' The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the spatial changes effectively. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle with accurate collocations. To improve, focus on learning specific vocabulary related to map descriptions, such as 'situated,' 'relocated,' 'expanded,' 'demolished,' and 'constructed.' Additionally, ensure you are using the correct terminology for the features shown in the diagrams, such as 'berths' or 'facilities.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. There are significant issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'fishing boat were,' 'public beach were'), missing articles, and incorrect sentence structures. Many sentences are fragments or run-on sentences, such as 'Overall, The porth harbour is remain same some changing lifeboat is same placed.' The lack of control over basic punctuation and capitalization further detracts from the quality of the writing. To improve, focus on mastering simple sentence structures before attempting more complex ones, and pay close attention to pluralization and verb tenses.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.