Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-30
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 maps illustrate how the layout of a Porth harbour changed between 2000 and today.
Overall, the areas underwent significant development. Several new facilities were added, while some existing buildings were removed or relocated. On the north-west side the marina (Private yachts) was replaced with the south-west fishing boats. The number of passenger ferries had increased from 2 to 3. The new showers & toilets were built above the car park to the left of the west-south side.
Whereas in the South-East corner the disused castle was replaced by a hotel. Additionally, the Public beach had changed to a private beach for the hotel residents.
The cafes & shops were built alongside the
Lifeboat in South side. A dock was located in Public beach in 2000, while today it is present with the passenger ferries.
The hotel road was linked with lifeboat road that went towards the main road of the South-west corner. The public beach remained same in 2000 and today.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour, such as the addition of the hotel, the changes to the beach, and the expansion of ferry facilities. You provide a clear overview and make relevant comparisons between the two time periods. However, there are some inaccuracies in your description; for instance, you mention the 'public beach remained same', which contradicts the visual evidence of it becoming a private beach. Additionally, some details are slightly confusing, such as the description of the 'west-south side'. To improve, ensure your spatial descriptions are precise and that you double-check your observations against the provided diagrams to avoid factual errors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific changes. You use some cohesive devices like 'Whereas', 'Additionally', and 'while' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel abrupt. For example, the jump between the hotel description and the cafes/shops lacks a smooth connection. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the progression of ideas between sentences is more fluid and less list-like.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You use a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'underwent significant development', 'relocated', and 'disused'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'west-south side' (which is not standard geographical terminology) and 'The public beach remained same' (which should be 'remained the same'). The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Incorporating more precise terminology for spatial relationships and development would enhance your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the' before 'Lifeboat') and prepositional inaccuracies ('to the left of the west-south side'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'The hotel road was linked with lifeboat road'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on consistent use of articles and prepositions, and try to vary your sentence structure to include more complex, error-free clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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