Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The diagram illustrates the map of a harbour in 2000 and how it is now.
There are few changes made in todays map as they were not same in 2000. Moreover there are also addition of some new areas like one new showers and toilets area and there is also a new cafes and shops area.
In 2000, Porth Harbour had only one showers and toilets area on the left at the top end of the North. Also a Marina (private yachts) was on the right side of the showers and toilets area. There was also a castle at the south east corner of the map. There were also two car parking areas one on the main road and the other one on the road leading towards lifeboat area.
Therefore, now today Porth Harbour have made few changes like there is a new Showers and toilets area so that everyone use this without any problem. Marina (private yachts) replace with Fishing boats zone. There is also a new Cafes and shops area which is now introduce. This area is just beside on the left of the lifeboat area.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour in 2000 and the present day, identifying key changes such as the addition of cafes and shops and the replacement of the marina with a fishing boat zone. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends or transformations. Some details are under-developed, and the description of the layout is occasionally confusing, such as the reference to the 'North' and 'left' without clear spatial context. To improve, ensure you provide a clear, concise overview of the main changes in the introduction or immediately following it, and focus on grouping information logically rather than listing features in isolation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and awkward transitions. Phrases like 'There are also' and 'There was also' are used excessively, making the flow mechanical rather than fluid. While some cohesive devices are present, such as 'Moreover' and 'Therefore', they are not always used appropriately to link ideas effectively. The referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when describing the location of new facilities. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'new' and 'changes' repeatedly. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'today's map' instead of 'the current layout' and 'everyone use this' instead of 'everyone can use these'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to maps and urban development, such as 'redeveloped', 'transformed', 'situated', or 'adjacent to', and avoid repetitive sentence structures that limit your ability to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('Porth Harbour have made', 'everyone use this') and awkward phrasing ('Marina... replace with Fishing boats zone'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding the use of commas and capitalization. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the text from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent tense usage when describing past versus present states will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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