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 two maps illustrate the transformation of Porth Harbour and the addition of some facilities for tourists between 2000 and the present.

Overall, the island only had one dock and one shower and toilet facility, whereas there was an addition of a dock and shower and toilet facilities for visitors.

To begin with, the castle was converted into a hotel and the nearby public beach was taken over by the hotel, and now the beach is private only for hotel members. However, the fishing boats and the marina for private yachts exchanged places with each other. In addition, the showers and toilets were added near another car park, and now one car park is connected with the main road. Moreover, there is an addition of a cafe and shops near the lifeboat, and the road that ended near the lifeboat is now extended towards the hotel. Although, there is an addition of a dock and now three passenger ferries will be parked.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the maps, including the conversion of the castle, the relocation of boat facilities, and the addition of tourist amenities. However, the overview is slightly weak; it focuses on specific details (docks and toilets) rather than the broader trends of commercialisation and infrastructure expansion. While the key changes are identified, the description of the 'three passenger ferries' is inaccurate based on the visual evidence, which shows a new dock area rather than a specific number of vessels. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview captures the most significant overall changes and maintain strict accuracy when interpreting visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, moving from an overview to specific developments. Paragraphing is used, though the body paragraph is quite dense and could be split to improve readability. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'However', and 'Moreover' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the 'fishing boats' and 'marina' could be explained with more precision to avoid ambiguity. Overall, the progression of information is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'transformation', 'converted', and 'amenities'. There are some repetitive structures, such as the frequent use of 'addition of'. While the range is sufficient to convey the necessary information, it lacks the more sophisticated, precise collocations that would elevate the response to a higher band. For example, instead of 'exchanged places', terms like 'relocated' or 'swapped positions' would be more natural. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the word choice does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical issues, such as the misuse of 'Although' at the start of the final sentence, which is a conjunction and should not be used as an adverbial transition in this context. Additionally, 'the beach is private only for hotel members' is slightly awkward; 'the beach is now restricted to hotel guests' would be more precise. Despite these minor errors, the meaning is always clear, and the control of punctuation is generally good.

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

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