Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

The diagrams compare the layout of Porth Harbour in the year 2000 and during present time. At a glance, number of services have been added and modified between the years.

To begin with, the old, unused castle from the year 2000 has been converted into a hotel which has been connected to the internal road. Also, the public beach near the castle was converted to a private beach for the residents of the hotel to use . Near the lifeboat services in the southern part, cafes and other shops have been constructed which is great utilization of the space. On the northern side of the harbour, a new dock has been made, so now more number of ships can be anchored together. Surprisingly, fishing boats and marina has exchanged their places. The western car park during the previous year whose entrance was from the internal road, can now be accessed from the main road. Additionally new showers and toilets were added near the western car park.

In conclusion, the harbour has got many small and big modifications as the years progressed. But the main modifications are the introduction of hotel and a private beach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all the main features of the harbour plans, including the conversion of the castle, the changes to the beach, the addition of shops, and the relocation of the marina and fishing boats. The overview is clear, and the comparison between the two time periods is well-maintained throughout. The student successfully identifies the key changes, such as the improved access to the car park and the expansion of docking facilities. The information is well-selected and reported accurately, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Also', 'On the northern side', and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour. While some transitions are slightly mechanical, the overall progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow, justifying a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'converted', 'utilization', 'anchored', and 'modifications'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'during present time' (should be 'at the present time') and 'more number of ships' (should be 'a greater number of ships'). The range is sufficient to convey the information clearly, but it lacks the sophistication or precision required for a higher band. It is a solid Band 6.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'number of services have been added' (missing an article), 'fishing boats and marina has exchanged' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'the harbour has got' (informal). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. The control of grammar is generally good, but the frequency of these minor errors prevents a higher score. A Band 6.0 is appropriate here.

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

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