Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23

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 7.5)

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

Overall, the Harbour has undergone significant development. The most notable changes are the construction of a hotel, the replacement of the disused castle, and the addition of several shops and facilities. However, some features, such as the passenger ferries, fishing boats and public beach, have remained largely unchanged.

In 2000, there was a castle on the eastern side of the Harbour, while a lifeboat station was located nearby. Today, the castle has been replaced by a hotel. In addition, a new area containing cafés and shops has been built beside the road, close to the lifeboat station.

On the western side, the showers and toilets and the car park have been retained, although an additional showers-and-toilets facility has been constructed further south. The fishing boats area has also remained, but a new marina for fishing boats has been added. The original marina for private yachts is still present.

In the northern part of the harbour, the passenger ferries, dock and public beach remain in place, although the layout of the passenger ferry area has been modified slightly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively summarizes the main features of the harbour maps. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the replacement of the castle with a hotel and the addition of new facilities, while noting the features that remained unchanged. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, you mention a 'new marina for fishing boats' and an 'original marina for private yachts', which is a good use of detail. The report is well-structured and covers all significant developments, meeting the requirements of the task fully.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information by location (eastern, western, and northern parts). The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'On the western side', and 'However' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct areas of the harbour. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which contributes to a coherent and easy-to-follow report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Phrases like 'undergone significant development', 'disused castle', and 'retained' are used appropriately. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it is mostly functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or precise collocations related to urban planning or geographical changes. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice effectively ('has been replaced', 'has been constructed') to describe the changes, which is appropriate for this type of task. The grammar is generally accurate, with only very minor slips. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The sentence structures are varied, and the control over complex forms is consistent. The writing is clear and error-free for the vast majority of the text, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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