Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25
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 illustrate the developments in Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present day.
Overall, the harbour has undergone notable modernization and commercialization, replacing disused areas with recreational facilities and reconfiguring boat moorings.
In 2000, the northern coastline contained a public beach, while the southern coast featured another public beach alongside a disused castle. Currently, the southern beach has been converted into a private area, and the castle has been replaced by a hotel. Additionally, a new row of cafés and shops has been constructed along the road leading toward the lifeboat station.
Regarding maritime facilities, private yachts were previously stationed in the marina to the north, while fishing boats docked separately in the south. Today, their positions have been swapped. Further east, the central dock, passenger ferries, and lifeboat station remain completely unchanged. Lastly, an additional set of showers and toilets was built near the southern car park to better serve visitors.
In conclusion, Porth Harbour has successfully transitioned into a modern, tourist-oriented destination while preserving key functional maritime infrastructure.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent and fully addresses the requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends—modernization and commercialization—and supported this with specific, accurate details from the maps. You successfully identified the key changes, such as the conversion of the beach and the replacement of the castle, while also noting the areas that remained unchanged. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, allowing the reader to easily follow the transformation of the harbour. There are no significant omissions, and the comparison between the two time periods is handled with precision.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use effective paragraphing to separate the overview, the coastal changes, and the maritime facility updates. Cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'Additionally', and 'Further east' are used naturally to guide the reader through the spatial changes. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily distinguish between the 2000 layout and the current one. The structure is professional and contributes to the overall clarity of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, using precise and topic-specific language such as 'modernization', 'commercialization', 'reconfiguring', and 'maritime infrastructure'. The word choices are accurate and contribute to a formal, academic tone suitable for an IELTS Task 1 report. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or collocation, and the range of vocabulary is sufficient to describe the changes in detail without repetition. The use of 'transitioned' and 'tourist-oriented' shows a high level of lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You employ a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('replacing disused areas...') and passive constructions ('has been converted', 'has been replaced'), which are appropriate for describing changes in a map. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense usage—shifting between the past state and the present state—is handled flawlessly, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
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