Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22

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 5.0)

The given map illustrate the plans show a harbour in 2000 and how it looks nowadays.

Overall, as compare to both map in 2000 that was in south part there was castle and nowadays that place change the castle and build a hotel. And also some other things are changed.

Firstly, In north side in 2000 that time only one showers & toilets were built and as compare to today there are two showers & toilets build. In addition fishing boats and marina private yachts alternate there location.

Moreover, in south part of this map there was only lifeboat but today that place also have cafes and shops and also a private beach for the hotel. That are huge chanced in last 26 years. and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While the main features of the harbour are identified, the description is superficial and lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive overview. The comparison between the two time periods is present but underdeveloped, and the response lacks a clear, analytical summary of the key trends. To improve, you must expand on the specific changes, such as the expansion of facilities, and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for a more thorough report of the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the awkward transition 'And also some other things are changed.' The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed, particularly in the final paragraph where the sentence structure breaks down. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that relates back to the overall comparison of the two maps.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'things', 'place', and 'build'. There are also errors in word choice and form, such as 'huge chanced' instead of 'huge changes' and 'alternate there location' instead of 'swapped their locations'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the visual information with precision. To improve, you should learn and incorporate more specific vocabulary related to describing maps and urban development, such as 'transformed', 'converted', 'relocated', and 'expanded', and pay closer attention to word forms and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The given map illustrate'), incorrect tense usage ('that place change the castle'), and awkward sentence construction ('as compare to both map'). The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. To improve, you need to work on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of prepositions and articles. Practising complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice to describe changes, will also help increase your band score.

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

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