Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The two maps show the changes that have taken place in Port Harbour between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has been developed mainly for tourism and leisure activities. The most noticeable changes are the replacement of the old fishing area with a larger marina, the construction of cafés and shops, and the conversion of the old castle into a hotel. However, some facilities, such as the public beach, passenger ferries and the main road, have remained largely unchanged.

In 2000, there was a fishing boat area in the western part of the harbour, while a private marina for yachts was located further north. There were also two car parks and one showers and toilets facility near the main road. In addition, a lifeboat station was situated near the centre of the harbour. On the eastern side, there was a castle which was no longer in use, as well as a public beach.

Today, the fishing boat area has been moved to the northern part of the harbour, and the original fishing area has been replaced by a larger marina for private yachts. A second showers and toilets facility has also been added, together with another car park. Furthermore, cafés and shops have been constructed near the lifeboat station.

The biggest change on the eastern side is that the old castle has been replaced by a hotel. As a result, the nearby public beach has become a private beach for hotel guests. The dock and passenger ferry facilities have remained in approximately the same area, while the public beach in the north has also remained unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have provided a very clear and accurate summary of the changes between the two maps. You successfully identified the key features, such as the relocation of the fishing area, the expansion of the marina, and the conversion of the castle into a hotel. Your overview effectively captures the main trend of development towards tourism. You have balanced the description well, ensuring that all significant changes are mentioned while also noting what remained unchanged. The report is well-structured and fully addresses the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location and theme. You have used a good range of cohesive devices, such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result', which help the reader follow the progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the overview from the detailed descriptions. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the two time periods is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'conversion', 'replacement', 'situated', and 'remained largely unchanged'. The language is precise and natural. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band; for instance, using more varied verbs for change (e.g., 'transformed', 'redeveloped', 'superseded') would enhance the lexical variety. However, the current usage is highly effective and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, including passive voice ('has been moved', 'have been constructed') and subordinate clauses, which are essential for this type of task. The punctuation is accurate, and there are virtually no errors in grammar or syntax. The sentences are clear and well-constructed, making the report very easy to read. The level of accuracy is consistently high throughout the entire response.

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

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