Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-28

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 two maps illustrate how Porth Harbour has developed from 2000 to the present.

Overall, the western part of Porth Harbour mostly stayed the same with some minor adjustments. The eastern part of Porth Harbour also did not have significant changes besides the south-east location where the unused castle and the beach saw significant change over the period given.

Concerning the west side of the Porth Harbour, not much has changed apart from the addition of an additional place to shower and to use the toilets. The fishing boats and the Marina where the private yachts were parked have switched places to give a larger parking spot for the privates boats. In the north-east, a dock has been destroyed and by doing so only one boat is left.

As for the south-east location, major changes have been made such as the castle that has been replaced by a hotel. To give access to the newly built hotel a road has been constructed. The hotel owner also bought the beach boarding the castle, turning it from a public to a private beach. There was also an addition of cafés and shops whereas the lifeboat did not get any change.This whole area has been remodeled to be more of a tourist area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all key features of the maps. You have successfully identified the main trends, such as the redevelopment of the south-east area and the reconfiguration of the marina. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the changes. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, when mentioning the 'dock has been destroyed', you could specify the location more clearly or describe the resulting change in capacity. Overall, the information is well-selected and the report is accurate in its description of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs focusing on specific areas of the harbour. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Concerning the west side' and 'As for the south-east location', which help guide the reader. However, the transition between sentences could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the logical flow is maintained throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily distinguish between the different areas being discussed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'remodelled', 'reconfigured', and 'private yachts'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'privates boats' instead of 'private boats' and 'beach boarding the castle' instead of 'beach bordering the castle'. While these do not impede communication, they prevent the use of vocabulary from appearing fully natural or sophisticated. To improve, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context. The range is sufficient to convey the necessary information clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'the lifeboat did not get any change' (should be 'undergo any change') and 'the Marina where the private yachts were parked have switched' (subject-verb agreement error: 'has switched'). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout. You have a good grasp of basic structures, but to achieve a higher band, you should aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure greater consistency in subject-verb agreement and preposition usage.

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

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