Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-12
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 supplied maps compare the current layout of Porth Harbour with it design from 2000.
Overall, it is immediately apparent that the porth has two parallel land extensions towards east. One stretch of land had single dock for passenger ferries but a new dock has been constructed now. The other extension had a castle which has been repurposed into a hotel.
The northern part of the porth had a single dock and a public beach in 2000. To west of the dock, there was a section for private yachts called Mariana, an area for showers and toilets, and a car park connected to the main road. A very few improvements including construction of a new dock, and replacing the Marina with fishing fishing boats has been carried out.
Regarding the other side, the southern side, there were a life boat facility, a section for fishing boats and a car park in 2000 but no toilets. The showers and toilets near car park, and cafes and shops near lifeboat area has been built. Finally there is a hotel across lifeboats that used to be a castle.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying key changes such as the new dock, the repurposing of the castle, and the addition of amenities. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main features are reported, the comparison between the two time periods is occasionally imprecise, such as the vague reference to 'a very few improvements'. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that the overview clearly synthesises the most significant trends (e.g., the shift from a basic harbour to a more commercial and tourist-oriented facility) rather than just listing changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the logical progression is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. For instance, the transition between the northern and southern sections is abrupt. While you use some linking words like 'Regarding' and 'Finally', the overall flow feels mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices to connect sentences and ideas more fluidly, ensuring that the relationship between the different areas of the harbour is clearly established for the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the features of the harbour. You use some relevant terms like 'repurposed', 'parallel', and 'facilities'. However, there are instances of repetitive or imprecise word choices, such as 'stretch of land' and 'a very few improvements'. Additionally, there are minor errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'porth' (likely a misspelling of port) and 'fishing fishing boats'. To achieve a higher score, aim to use more precise terminology related to map descriptions and avoid repetition by using synonyms and more varied descriptive language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'with it design' (its design), 'To west of the dock' (To the west), and 'has been carried out' (should be plural 'have been' to agree with 'improvements'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. Focus on proofreading for basic agreement errors and ensuring consistent use of articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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