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 map illustrates the difference in the design of Porth Harbour like how it looks in the present rather than its design in 2000.

Overall, there is not a mojor difference in both of the architect. However, there are some changes in the design of it especially on the south eastern side and northern side of the porth.

Now, there is an addition of another place for showers and toilets on the lower side of uper car park area and an exchange in the places of fishing boats and the Marina where private yachts park. At eastern side there is a change in the area of Dock , as in 2000 it was inside the place but now there is boat places and the area for Dock has become densed.

But one of the great change is on the right lower side, means a south eastern side where now there is hotel instead of castle .In 200, a castle which is not used by anyone this is why it is converted in hotel and now here is private beach for hotel residents which is once a public beach in 2000. Otherwise not alot of change have made except these.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the harbour, such as the addition of facilities, the relocation of boat areas, and the transformation of the castle into a hotel. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For example, the description of the 'Dock' area is unclear and lacks precision, and the explanation of the castle's conversion is slightly repetitive. While the main trends are identified, the report would benefit from a more structured comparison between the two time periods. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the most significant changes, such as the shift from public to private space.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as the transition 'But one of the great change is...'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when referring to specific locations on the map (e.g., 'inside the place'). While there is a logical progression from the overview to specific details, the flow between sentences could be smoother. The use of paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs needs more variety and precision to reach a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are several instances of imprecise word choice and spelling errors, such as 'mojor' (major), 'architect' (architecture), 'uper' (upper), and 'densed' (densified). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to maps and urban development, such as 'redeveloped,' 'converted,' or 'expanded.' While the meaning is generally clear, the frequent errors in word formation and spelling prevent the response from achieving a higher score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'there is not a mojor difference in both of the architect,' 'there is an addition of another place,' and 'not alot of change have made.' Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. While the meaning remains understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and punctuation limits the score. Increasing the variety of error-free complex sentences would be a key area for improvement.

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