Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The pictures show how the Port Harbour looked in 2000 and how it looks today. We have seen a lot of changes in Port from 2000 to now.
The overall look of Port Harbour has changed over the years especially the southern side but the size of port remain almost same. However, few new things are added in port in 2026 as compare to 2000.
In 2000, there was a castle in south-east side of the port that changing into hotel now and the beach infront of hotel that was public in 2000, now turn into private as uses according to hotel permission. Cafe and Shops also demolished that situated beside the Lifeboat in 2000. The locations of private yachts and fishing boats are echanged in 2026. However, adds another showers and toilets in southern side in 2026. The beach in uper north-east side remains its title same and passenger ferries also, but thr duck is divided into two parts that was in one part in 2000.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour, such as the conversion of the castle to a hotel and the changes to the beach and facilities. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes, and some details are inaccurate or confusing, such as the mention of '2026' when the prompt specifies 'today'. The description of the layout changes is somewhat disjointed, and the comparison between the two time periods could be more precise. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most striking transformations and maintain consistency with the provided data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the flow of ideas is often interrupted by awkward phrasing and a lack of cohesive devices. For instance, the transition between the description of the castle and the beach is abrupt. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'that was in one part in 2000', which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes. More varied linking words and better signposting would help to create a smoother progression of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'remains its title same' and 'exchanged' (when referring to locations). The use of 'demolished' is appropriate, but the overall range is limited. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology for describing spatial changes and map features, such as 'converted into', 'relocated', or 'expanded'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'size of port remain almost same' (missing articles and subject-verb agreement) and 'adds another showers' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is also inconsistent, and there are errors in tense usage throughout the report. To improve, focus on basic subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that verb tenses are consistent when describing past and present states.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.