Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-11

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 7.0)

This map represents the layout of Porth Harbour in 2000 and how it looks today. In general, it is observed that the harbour has undergone multiple modifications over the years, and five major renovations have been made to make it more accessible for visitors.

The northern side of Porth Harbour hasn't changed largely, except that there are now two docks available. This sector features a public beach, passenger ferries, and two docks, whereas there was only one in the year 2000.

Regarding the western side of the harbour, there are a few significant changes to observe. The destinations of the Marina (Private Yachts) and fishing boats have been switched with each other. Now, the Marina is located on the upper western side, and fishing boats have been shifted to the lower western side of Porth Harbour. Also, an additional shower and toilet area has been built beside the Marina, which was previously the fishing boats section.

On the southern side of the harbour, the old castle has been renovated into a hotel, and access to the beach from there is now restricted for the general public. The beach is privately available to the hotel guests only. Also, several cafes and shops have been built beside the lifeboat section in front of the road that leads to the hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour and provided a clear overview of the changes. You covered all areas of the map, including the northern, western, and southern sections, and made relevant comparisons between 2000 and the present day. The inclusion of specific details, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel and the relocation of the marina and fishing boats, demonstrates a good grasp of the task requirements. To reach a higher band, ensure that your overview paragraph highlights the most significant trends or shifts rather than just stating that modifications occurred, as this would provide a more analytical summary of the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific geographical area of the harbour. This structure makes the information easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices, such as 'regarding', 'whereas', and 'in addition', which help to connect your ideas smoothly. The progression of information is clear, moving logically from one section of the map to another. To improve further, ensure that your transitions between paragraphs are even more seamless and avoid slightly repetitive sentence structures when introducing new sections of the harbour.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'renovations', 'accessible', 'restricted', and 'layout'. Your word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary used is natural in the context of describing map changes. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary related to urban planning or geographical changes, such as 'transformed', 'redeveloped', or 'reconfigured', to add more variety and precision to your descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your writing shows good control over a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your use of punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use passive voice constructions, such as 'has been renovated' and 'have been built', which is appropriate for this type of task. There are very few grammatical slips, and the meaning is always clear. To move into the higher band, aim to include a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional or concessive clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility in your writing.

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

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