Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17
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 8.0)
The two maps illustrate the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, the harbour has been considerably developed for tourism and leisure. The most notable changes are the construction of a hotel, cafés and shops, the replacement of the public beach with a private beach, and the expansion of facilities for visitors. However, the main road, lifeboat station and public beach in the north have remained largely unchanged.
In 2000, there were two car parks on the western side of the harbour, along with showers and toilets. A marina for private yachts was located in the north-west, while fishing boats were kept further south. There was also a dock for passenger ferries and a separate area for the lifeboat. In the south-east, there was a disused castle and a public beach.
Today, the two car parks and the main road are still present, although additional showers and toilets have been provided. The former fishing-boat area has been moved slightly north and the marina has been relocated to the south-west. The dock and passenger-ferry facilities remain in the same general area, but the number of boats has increased.
The biggest development is in the southern part of the harbour. The disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and the former public beach has become a private beach for hotel guests. In addition, cafés and shops have been built near the lifeboat station, making the harbour more suitable for tourists.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features, including the transformation of the castle into a hotel, the shift from a public to a private beach, and the relocation of the marina and fishing area. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the main trend of development for tourism. You have made relevant comparisons between the two time periods, such as noting that the main road and lifeboat station remained unchanged while other areas were significantly altered. The information is accurate and well-selected, providing a comprehensive summary of the visual data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction and overview, the state of the harbour in 2000, the changes to existing facilities, and the new developments in the south. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2000', 'Today', 'In addition', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the analysis, and referencing is clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and trends. Phrases such as 'considerably developed', 'relocated', 'remained largely unchanged', and 'disused castle' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. There are no spelling errors, and the choice of words is consistently sophisticated, showing a good awareness of collocation and style suitable for an academic task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions ('has been replaced', 'have been built') and subordinate clauses, which are essential for describing changes over time. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is accurate. The flow is natural, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of tense is consistent and appropriate for comparing past and present states.
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