Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given map illustrates the plans showing a harbour in 2000 and how it looks nowadays.

Overall, as compared to both maps in 2000 , that was in the south part there was a castle and nowadays that place has changed the castle and built a hotel. And also some other things are changed.

Firstly, in the north side in 2000, in that time only one shower & toilet were built and as compared to today there are two showers & toilets built. In addition fishing boats and marina private yachts swapped their location.

Moreover, in the south part of this map there was only a lifeboat but today that place also has cafes and shops and also a private beach for the hotel. These are huge developments in last 26 years and the major change was Dock in 2000 that time only one dock was there but now there are two docks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the addition of the hotel, the relocation of boats, and the expansion of docks. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, professional overview. The description of changes is occasionally imprecise, such as 'some other things are changed,' which does not provide specific information. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the information more logically—perhaps by separating structural changes from functional ones—and ensuring that all key features are described with greater clarity and detail, rather than simply listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Firstly,' 'In addition,' 'Moreover'). The flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, and some transitions feel forced. For example, the transition from the north side to the south side could be smoother. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus, rather than jumping between different areas of the map within the same paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on basic verbs like 'built' and 'changed' repeatedly. While the meaning is clear, the range is limited, and there is a lack of sophisticated collocations or topic-specific vocabulary related to map descriptions (e.g., 'transformed,' 'replaced,' 'expanded,' 'redeveloped'). To improve, focus on using more descriptive verbs and nouns that accurately reflect the changes shown in the diagrams, and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect readability. Issues include awkward phrasing ('that was in the south part there was a castle'), incorrect preposition usage, and tense inconsistencies. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over complex structures limits the score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and sentence construction. Ensure that your sentences are grammatically sound before attempting more complex structures, and proofread carefully to eliminate basic errors.

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

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