Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The illustration demonstrates the layout of the harbour from 2000 to the present time.

Overall, only a few new shops and changing areas are launched, and the existing old areas are interchanged with each other. Disused buildings are now converted for hotel purposes.

Firstly, there was a road on the west side of the port harbour which was connected with two car parks and with one shower area. Now new showers and toilets are built with them. The existing marina and fishing boats are swapped, now the marina (private yachts) occupy more space than before. On the north-east side, there was a single dock present, now a fresh narrow dock is introduced. Public ferries and public beach remain the same.

Lastly, on the south-east side, the disused castle is converted into hotel and on its left side the public beach is converted into private beach used by hotel. Also there was a lifeboat, it remained unchanged but on the left side of it a brand new cafe and shops are inaugurated. The road leading towards the hotel and lifeboat remain the same

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the harbour plans effectively. You have identified the key changes, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel, the expansion of the marina, and the addition of new facilities like the cafe and shops. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more precise. For instance, instead of saying 'existing old areas are interchanged', describe the specific spatial shifts more clearly. The report is well-focused on the visual data provided, and the main trends are highlighted appropriately throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific areas of the harbour. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Now', and 'Lastly' are used to guide the reader through the changes. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be improved by using more varied linking phrases. Referencing is generally clear, though some descriptions of location (e.g., 'with them') are slightly vague. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'converted', 'inaugurated', 'disused', and 'layout'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'interchanged with each other' or 'fresh narrow dock', which sound slightly unnatural in this context. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication, it lacks the sophistication and precise collocation required for a higher band. Focusing on more academic verbs and precise descriptors for spatial changes would enhance your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is consistently clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'only a few new shops and changing areas are launched' (should be 'were built' or 'have been added') and 'the existing marina and fishing boats are swapped' (should be 'were swapped'). Additionally, there are some punctuation and article errors, such as 'converted into hotel' (should be 'a hotel'). Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication, and you demonstrate a reasonable control over sentence construction.

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

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