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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively summarizes the main features of the harbour's transformation. You have successfully identified key changes, such as the addition of facilities, the modernization of the dock, and the conversion of the public beach. The overview provides a clear summary of the most significant developments. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully supported by the data; for instance, while you mention the marina and fishing-boat areas were switched, quantifying the scale of the expansion or the specific nature of the 'modernization' would add depth. Overall, the response is well-focused and covers all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that group information thematically. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' is generally effective, though the repetition of 'In addition' at the start of consecutive sentences in the second paragraph makes the flow feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general overview from the specific details. To improve, try to vary the transition signals to create a more natural, sophisticated flow between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey information with precision, using terms like 'disused', 'accommodate', and 'modernised' appropriately. The language is natural and fits the context of describing map changes. While the vocabulary is accurate, it remains somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to urban planning or structural changes, such as 'redeveloped', 'transformed', or 'underwent a complete overhaul', to show greater flexibility and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing displays a good command of grammatical structures, with a mix of simple and complex sentences. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. You successfully used passive voice constructions (e.g., 'were added', 'was replaced'), which is appropriate for this type of task. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To push into the higher bands, you could experiment with more varied complex sentence structures, such as using participle clauses or relative clauses to combine information more fluidly.

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

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