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 diagram here illustrates the comparision between the map of Porth Harbour in 2 different years, that is in the year 2000 and present year. At the first glance, it displays a modern and developed type of the area. There are a few number of noticeable changes between two different timelines. Earlier the Porth Harbour used to be more of public space and now it is quite privatised now. The car parking areas, showers and toilets and the docks have become twice than earlier. There is also a significant change in the area of marina (private yachts) and fishing boats as they have replaced their areas with each other. The map also displays that the road to car parking area is shifted from northern side to western side. Although the cafes and shops which are present today were were not present in previous years as the space was an empty space back then. At the South-eastern region, a hotel and private beach is located, which were converted from a disused castle with a public beach.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the expansion of facilities and the shift in land use. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the transition from a public-oriented space to a commercialized, private marina. While the comparison of the marina and fishing boat areas is noted, the description of the car park and road shift is slightly imprecise. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview highlights the most striking changes rather than just listing details, and provide a more structured comparison between the two time periods.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into a single paragraph, which hinders the logical progression of ideas. IELTS Task 1 responses should ideally be structured into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group related features. While the writer uses some cohesive devices like 'Although' and 'At the South-eastern region', the flow is somewhat mechanical. The lack of paragraphing makes the text feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report. Improving the structure by grouping the 'commercial developments' versus 'infrastructure changes' would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. Phrases like 'a few number of' (should be 'a small number of') and 'become twice than earlier' (should be 'doubled in size') show limited control over collocations. While the student successfully uses terms like 'privatised', 'marina', and 'disused', the overall range is somewhat repetitive. To improve, the student should focus on using more sophisticated vocabulary to describe trends and changes, such as 'expanded', 'transformed', or 'relocated', rather than relying on basic verbs.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the comparision between the map' (spelling), 'a few number of' (incorrect quantifier), and 'cafes and shops which are present today were were not present' (repetition and awkward phrasing). The use of 'at the first glance' is also slightly unnatural. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and avoiding redundant words would improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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