Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-14
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 7.5)
The two maps illustrate the changes that have taken place at Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable development, particularly with the introduction of a hotel, cafés and shops, as well as the relocation of several harbour facilities. The castle has been replaced by a hotel, while the public beach has been converted into a private beach for hotel guests.
In 2000, the western side of the harbour contained a marina for private yachts, with showers and toilets and a car park nearby. There was also another car park further south, close to the fishing boats. Today, the fishing boats have been relocated to the former marina area, while the private-yacht marina has been moved to the southern part of the harbour. Two sets of showers and toilets are now provided, and the two car parks remain in the same general area.
In the central part of the harbour, the dock and passenger ferry facilities have remained. However, cafés and shops have been added beside the road. The lifeboat station has also remained in roughly the same position. Finally, the disused castle in the southeast has been replaced by a hotel, and the nearby public beach has become private.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have clearly identified the main features of the harbour in 2000 and the present day, providing a logical comparison between the two timeframes. The overview is concise and highlights the most significant changes, such as the development of the hotel and the relocation of facilities. You have successfully selected relevant information and supported it with specific details from the maps, such as the movement of the fishing boats and the conversion of the beach. The response is well-structured and provides a clear summary of the spatial changes, meeting all the criteria for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information by location and theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices effectively to link sentences and paragraphs, such as 'In 2000', 'Today', and 'In the central part of the harbour'. Referencing is clear throughout, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and spatial changes. Phrases such as 'undergone considerable development', 'relocated to the former marina area', and 'converted into' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and fits the context of the task well. While the range is sufficient and allows for flexibility, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is natural and error-free, effectively conveying the intended meaning without any repetition or awkward phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, with confidence. For example, 'The castle has been replaced by a hotel, while the public beach has been converted into a private beach' shows good control over passive voice and subordinating conjunctions. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense usage—shifting between past and present to reflect the timeline—is consistent and correct.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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