Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The maps depict the alteration of a north harbour between 2000 and present day.
In the north side of the harbour, one public beach, two passengers ferries, and one dock had been located, whereas, in the far side other public beach, lifeboat, and one castle have constructed. As public facility two car parks, showers and toilets have been situated, along with one fishing boat and marina private yachts have been spotted. these all facilities had connected with main road.
In concurrent time, as new facilities car park and shower, toilets, cafes and shops, and dock have been added. As well as castle has been changed into hotel and connected with main road also private beach shifted only for hotel. Fishing boats and marina private yachts remained as same position.
Overall, it can be deduced that significant changes have been noted. Castle has been changed into hotel and as new facilities
toilets and showers, car parks, and one dock have been added.
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 identifies the main features of the harbour, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel and the addition of new facilities. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the task is addressed, some details are presented in a list-like fashion rather than being synthesized into a coherent comparison. The summary of changes is accurate, but the response would benefit from a more structured approach to highlighting the most significant transformations, such as the shift from a public to a more commercialized harbour area.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In the north side' and 'In concurrent time', but they are sometimes used incorrectly or sound unnatural. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial relationships between the features mentioned. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow within paragraphs is disjointed, which impacts the overall readability of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'In concurrent time' instead of 'Currently' or 'In the present day', and 'remained as same position' instead of 'remained in the same position'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and the student relies on basic descriptors. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise terminology for describing spatial changes and facility developments, and work on collocations to sound more natural.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('one public beach', 'as new facilities car park'), verb tense consistency ('had been located', 'have constructed'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are grammatically incomplete or incorrectly formed, such as 'these all facilities had connected with main road'. While the student attempts to use a mix of structures, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and syntax prevents the response from reaching a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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