Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-15
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 show the changes that have been taken in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, the harbour has been considerably developed over this period. The main changes include the construction of a hotel, cafes and shops, as well as the replacement of the castle. In addition, some facilities for boats have been rearranged, while the public beach and passenger ferry area have remained largely unchanged.
In 2000, there were showers and toilets and a car park on the western side of the harbour. A marina for private yachts was located in the north-western part, while fishing boats were kept further south. A road ran along the southern side of the harbour, connecting these areas. On the eastern side, there was a lifeboat station a dock and an area for passenger ferries, a public beach was situated in the north-east, while a disused castle stood on the south-east side.
Today, the basic layout of the harbour is still similar, but several new facilities have been added. The areas for fishing boats and private yachts have switched positions. Cafes and shops have been built beside the road, and the former castle has been replaced by a hotel. The road leading to the castle has also become a private road for the hotel. However, the showers and toilets, car parks, lifeboat station, passenger ferry area and public beach have remained in approximately the same locations.
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 key features of the harbour maps. You have successfully identified the main changes, such as the construction of the hotel and the rearrangement of boat facilities, while also noting the elements that remained unchanged. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation, and the comparison between the two time periods is well-integrated. The information is accurate and logically presented, meeting the requirements for a high band score by highlighting significant trends rather than just listing details.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that contrast the past and present states. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'while', 'however', and 'today' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. The paragraphing is logical, with the first body paragraph focusing on the 2000 layout and the second on the current state. The flow of information is smooth, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'rearranged', 'disused', 'replaced', and 'remained largely unchanged'. The language is precise and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe the spatial changes. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of passive voice ('have been rearranged', 'have been built') and subordinate clauses ('while the public beach... have remained'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of the sentences. The majority of the sentences are error-free, and the control over tense usage—shifting between the past for 2000 and present perfect for the changes—is handled well.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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