Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The two map illustrates the transformation of Porth Harbour from 2000 to until today.
Overall, the harbour has undergone a significant transformation. There are many changes on the land which include construction of cafes and shops as well as pier of docking of ships along with privatization of many lands and buildings.
Before, the harbour only had one pier for docking ships along with public beach with no cafes and shops but after transformation, the harbour has gone through significant changes. First of all cafes and shops has been built along with transformation of castle into hotel and privatization of beach near hotel.
The showers & toilets and car park has not been touched but new showers & toilets has been added and the existing car park it connected with main road. The position the fishing boats and manna( private yachts) has been exchange which shows that the harbour has gone through significant privatization because the area for fishing boats is shrink for private yachts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the transformation, such as the addition of cafes, shops, and the change in boat docking areas. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you mention the privatization of the beach and the castle, the description of the layout changes lacks precision. For example, you mention the car park is connected to the main road, but you do not clearly contrast this with the 2000 map. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a more detailed comparison of the spatial changes rather than just listing them. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the most significant trends, such as the shift from public to commercial use.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the general overview to specific details. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'First of all', 'along with'). There are also issues with referencing; for instance, 'the existing car park it connected' is grammatically disjointed, making the flow of information slightly awkward. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence flows naturally into the next without relying on simple additive conjunctions.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. You use basic terms like 'touched' and 'changed' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and terminology, such as 'manna' (likely meant 'marina') and 'is shrink' (should be 'has shrunk'). The use of 'privatization' is a good attempt at a more academic term, but the overall range remains limited. Focusing on more precise verbs and nouns related to urban development, such as 'converted', 'expanded', or 'redeveloped', would enhance your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'The two map illustrates' (should be 'maps illustrate') and 'cafes and shops has been built' (should be 'have been built'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and prepositions, such as 'position the fishing boats' (missing 'of') and 'is shrink' (incorrect verb form). While you attempt some complex structures, the high frequency of basic errors in tense and agreement prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for these fundamental errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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