Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The maps illustrate the changes undergone by Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present time.

Overall, Porth Harbour has undergone substantial redevelopment with significant changes being made to its layout and facilities. While new facilities such as a dock, cafes and shops have been added, certain existing facilities have exchanged locations or have been converted into different buildings.

In 2000, the south-eastern part of the port consisted of an unused castle along with a beach accessible to the public and a facility for lifeboat. To the left of it, were spaces for a car park and finishing boats. While the north-western part housed facilities like an additional car park, showers and toilets, and a marina, the part to the east consisted of a single dock.

In the present time, the castle to the south of the port has been converted into a hotel with the beach also becoming private, accessible only to hotel guests and staff. A new road going west to east has been added connecting the hotel to the main road. Facilities like cafes and shops and showers and toilets have been added to the west of the harbour. The locations of marina and fishing boats were exchanged with each other whereas another dock has been added to the port.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all key features of the two maps. You have successfully identified the main changes, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel, the privatization of the beach, and the reconfiguration of the marina and fishing boat areas. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, when mentioning the 'new road', describing its specific location relative to the hotel and the harbour would add further clarity. Overall, the information is well-selected and reported accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the past state from the present state. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'whereas', and 'in the present time' are used to guide the reader through the comparisons. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid repetitive sentence structures, but the current flow is already quite strong and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'converted', 'reconfigured', and 'accessible'. The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary used is natural in the context of describing map changes. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common synonyms for movement and change, such as 'transformed into', 'relocated', or 'underwent a significant overhaul'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. For example, your use of passive voice ('has been converted', 'have been added') is appropriate for describing changes in a process or map. There are very few grammatical slips, and punctuation is handled well. To push into the higher bands, ensure that articles (e.g., 'the marina', 'a dock') are used consistently throughout the text, as there were minor inconsistencies in their application.

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

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