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 two graphics depict a harbour in 2000 and presently.

Overall, although some features of the harbour remain the same, it is evident that the harbour has many new features at present. The contemporary harbour has undergone a commercial development.

Presently, in the western part of the harbour, a new arrangement for showers and toilets have been put up, between the car parks. The private yachts and the fishing boats have switched their positions. At the north, a new dock has been established adjacent to the existing dock, which allows another ship to be berthed. Cafes and shops have been built between the marina and the lifeboat.

Moreover, the unused castle, located in the south-eastern side of the harbour, has been rebuilt into a hotel. The nearby private beach remains the same but is only allowed for the hotel to use. All other features including roads, public beach, passenger ferries, and lifeboat, have remained the same throughout the years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the harbour and makes relevant comparisons between 2000 and the present. You have highlighted key changes such as the new dock, the hotel conversion, and the repositioning of boats. However, the overview is slightly generic; it would be stronger if you explicitly mentioned the shift from a more industrial/fishing-focused layout to a more commercial/tourist-oriented one. The description of the 'new arrangement for showers and toilets' is accurate, but ensure you always link changes back to the overall transformation of the site to fully satisfy the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding overview. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Presently', and 'in the western part' helps guide the reader through the spatial changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of development. To improve, ensure that the transition between the description of the western part and the south-eastern part is smoother, perhaps by using a more sophisticated linking phrase to contrast the different zones of the harbour.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'commercial development', 'adjacent', and 'berthed'. These terms are appropriate for the context of a harbour. However, there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'built' and 'remained'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise synonyms for change, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'redeveloped'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and allows for clear communication, but lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical errors, such as 'a new arrangement... have been put up', where the verb should be singular ('has been') to agree with the subject 'arrangement'. Additionally, 'at the north' should be 'in the north'. Despite these slips, the meaning is always clear, and the errors do not impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and more varied prepositional usage when describing locations on a map.

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

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