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 given two maps compares the changes to porth harbour between 2000 and today.
as an overall trend, the harbour has become more commercial and tourist-oriented, with the addition of new facilities for visitors and the relocation of the fishing and private yatch areas. the castle has been converted into a hostel and the public beach has become private.
in 2000, the harbour had a marina for private yatchs in the north-west, while fishing boats were moored in the south-west. there was a single showers & toilets block and car park in the north-west, and another car park further south on the main road. a dock for passenger ferries was in the north-east, and a lifeboat station was on the southern headland near a disused castle and a public beach.
today, the layout has changed significantly. the fishing boats have been moved to north-west where the marina was, and the marina has been relocated to the south-west where the fishing boats were. a new dock has been constructed to the west of the original dock, so there are now two passenger ferry docks side-by-side. in the south-west area, a second showers & toilets block has been added, and next to the marina, a new row of cafes & shops has been build beside the life boat station. furthermore the disused castle has been changed into a hotel and the
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response effectively identifies the main features and trends, such as the shift toward commercialization and the relocation of key facilities. You successfully contrast the 2000 layout with the current one, providing specific details about the docks, car parks, and the conversion of the castle. However, the response is incomplete as it ends abruptly mid-sentence, failing to finish the description of the beach and the overall summary. This omission prevents a fully developed conclusion. To reach a higher band, ensure you complete all descriptive points and provide a cohesive summary of the final state of the harbour.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized logically, moving from an overview to a detailed comparison of the two time periods. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction/overview from the body paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'in 2000', 'today', and 'furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the changes. However, the abrupt ending significantly impacts the coherence of the final section. While the progression of ideas is clear, the lack of a finished concluding thought makes the overall structure feel incomplete. Ensure that all paragraphs are fully realized to maintain a smooth flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'commercial', 'tourist-oriented', 'relocated', and 'disused'. The language is generally appropriate for a report on maps. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'yatch' instead of 'yacht' and 'build' instead of 'built'. While these do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and ensure consistent accuracy in spelling, especially for technical terms related to the map features.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the given two maps compares' (subject-verb agreement) and 'has been build' (incorrect passive voice form). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters at the start of sentences. While the meaning remains clear, these errors occur frequently enough to be noticeable. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct formation of passive voice structures, which are essential for describing map changes. Also, ensure all sentences begin with a capital letter.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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