Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The two maps illustrate the structural developments that have taken place in Porth Harbour from the year 2000 to the present day.

Overall, the harbour has undergone significant modernization, transitioning from a basic maritime area into a more commercialized and tourist oriented destination. Key modifications include the relocation of boat moorings, the expansion of commercial facilities, and the conversion of historical sites into private amenities.

In 2000, the marina for private yachts was situated in the northwest, while fishing boats were anchored further south. Today, these two maritime zones have swapped locations. Additionally, the passenger dock area in the center has been expanded to accommodate additional vessel berthing space.

Facilities along the western mainland have also seen major upgrades. While the northern car park and restroom block remain unchanged, a second set of showers and toilets has been added adjacent to the southern car park. Furthermore, the disused castle in the southeast has been redeveloped into a hotel, transforming the nearby public beach into a private beach for hotel guests. Nearby, new cafe's and shops have been established along the central access road leading to the lifeboat station.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the significant changes, such as the modernization and commercialization of the harbour. The main features are well-selected, including the relocation of moorings, the expansion of the passenger dock, and the redevelopment of the castle. Comparisons are made accurately throughout the text, such as noting that the marina and fishing boat zones have swapped locations. The information is logically grouped, and the summary is accurate and well-supported by the visual data provided. You have successfully captured the essence of the changes without omitting key details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You use an effective introduction, a summary paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group information by location and theme. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'While' are used appropriately to link ideas and create a smooth flow. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the overview from the specific details. The referencing is clear, and the information is presented in a way that is easy for the reader to follow. There is a strong sense of cohesion throughout the entire report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a report on map changes. Phrases such as 'structural developments', 'commercialized and tourist oriented destination', and 'redeveloped into a hotel' show a good level of precision. There is a minor error with the pluralization of 'cafe's', which should be 'cafes'. However, this does not impede communication. The vocabulary is varied and fits the context of describing urban or maritime planning well. You have used some less common items effectively, which contributes to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While the northern car park... remain unchanged') and participial phrases ('transforming the nearby public beach...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is generally strong. There are very few grammatical slips, and the overall accuracy is high. The sentence structures are varied, which helps to maintain the reader's interest and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar suitable for this task.

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