Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-18

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 given infographics depict the information about the layout of port harbour and the amenities available there in current time, compared with the port harbour of 2000.

Overall, several new changes are made at the port. However, many areas such as, car parks, northern showers and toilets, northern public beach, main road, road, and a lifeboat area remain as it is. Conversely, new facilities such as cafes, shops, and hotel are constructed.

More specifically, one new dock is made besides the existing one and a new building for showers and toilets is build in the north of the southern car park. Also, new cafes and shops are opened in the left of the lifeboat area. Additionally, fishing boats and marina exchange their previous locations. Earlier, the entrance for the southern car park was from the main road, but later on, new entrance is formed, connected with the inner road. The castle in the south-eastern corner get refurbished into a hotel with the public beach being converted into the private beach for the hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the harbour, such as the new dock, the hotel conversion, and the relocation of the fishing boats and marina. The overview provides a clear summary of the changes. However, the description of the 'northern showers and toilets' as remaining 'as it is' is inaccurate, as the map shows a new building was added in the north. Additionally, some details are slightly under-developed, such as the specific location of the new shops and cafes. To reach a higher band, ensure all comparisons are precise and avoid claiming features remain unchanged when they have been modified or supplemented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the changes. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Conversely', 'More specifically', and 'Additionally' helps to guide the reader through the information. However, the paragraphing could be improved; the second body paragraph is quite dense, and some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, though the sentence structure in the second paragraph occasionally makes the flow of information feel a bit list-like rather than analytical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'infographics', 'amenities', 'refurbished', and 'converted' appropriately. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'infographics' (the prompt shows maps/plans, not infographics) and 'exchange their previous locations' (a bit unnatural). The range is sufficient to convey the necessary information, but it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of vocabulary. The spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'are made' instead of 'have been made', 'is build' instead of 'was built', and 'get refurbished' instead of 'was refurbished'. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not impede communication. To improve, focus on consistent tense usage when describing past changes and passive voice construction, as these are essential for describing processes and map changes.

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

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