Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

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

In 2000, there were two car parks and a building containing showers and toilets on the western side of the harbour. A marina for yachts was located nearby, while fishing boats occupied another area close to the dock. Passenger ferries were situated in the central part of the harbour. There was also a public beach on the eastern side, and a disused castle stood at the southern end.

Today, the main changes are the construction of cafés and shops near the harbour, replacing the former fishing-boat area. The disused castle has also been converted into a hotel, with a private beach now replacing the public beach. In addition, the road has been extended around the hotel, providing improved access to the new facilities. Other features, including the marina, passenger ferries, showers, toilets and car parks, remain in their original locations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses the requirements of the task by providing a clear overview of the changes between 2000 and the present day. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel and the replacement of the fishing area with commercial facilities. The comparison between the two time periods is logical and easy to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a more distinct 'overview' paragraph that highlights the most significant trends or transformations, rather than just listing changes. Overall, the information is accurate and covers all key developments shown in the diagrams.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the initial state of the harbour from the subsequent developments. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2000', 'Today', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the timeline. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth. To improve further, you could incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices to link sentences more fluidly, though the current structure is already quite coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'converted', 'extended', and 'facilities'. The terminology is precise and relevant to the task. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to describe the transformation, such as 'undergone significant redevelopment' or 'replaced by a more commercialized layout'. The current range is adequate for the task and demonstrates good control over topic-specific language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing displays a good level of grammatical control. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The disused castle has also been converted into a hotel, with a private beach now replacing the public beach.' The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The response demonstrates a high degree of accuracy, with no significant errors that impede communication. To push into the higher bands, you could experiment with more varied complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions or conditional clauses, to further demonstrate your range.

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

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