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 plans illustrate the changes that have taken place in the layout of a harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, Porth Harbour underwent many significant changes, including several new facilities such as cafes and shops, and a private beach. In addition, the harbour was modernised, with the disused castle being replaced by a hotel and changes made to the dock area.
An analysis of the plans reveals that additional showers and toilets were added to the south-west side of the harbour. Moreover, the area of the car park remained unchanged during the period. In addition, the locations of the marina for private yachts and the fishing-boat area were switched. Furthermore, the dock area was modernised and expanded to accommodate more passenger ferries.
From the plans, it is evident that cafes and shops were developed beside the lifeboat on the south side of the harbour. Moreover, the disused castle was replaced by a hotel, and the public beach was converted into a private beach only for the hotel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively covers the main features of the harbour's transformation. You have successfully identified key changes such as the addition of facilities, the replacement of the castle with a hotel, and the reconfiguration of the dock and marina areas. The overview provides a clear summary of the trends, and the body paragraphs are well-structured to highlight specific developments. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully supported by the visual data; for instance, you mentioned the car park remained unchanged, which is a good use of detail. The response is well-balanced and addresses all parts of the prompt accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information thematically. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'From the plans, it is evident that' helps to guide the reader through the information smoothly. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different aspects of the harbour's development. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from general changes to specific modifications. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, making the information easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'modernised', 'disused', 'accommodate', and 'converted'. The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of 'switched', you could use 'relocated' or 'transposed'. Overall, the vocabulary is well-suited to the task, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The plans illustrate the changes that have taken place...' and '...the area of the car park remained unchanged during the period.' The grammar is generally accurate, with no major errors that cause confusion. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest. To improve further, you could experiment with more complex passive constructions or varied introductory clauses to enhance the sophistication of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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