Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31
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 8.0)
The two maps compare the layout of Porth Harbour in 2000 with its present-day appearance.
Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable redevelopment. While the dock, passenger ferry terminal and public beach have remained in the same locations, several facilities have been added or modernised, and some areas have been converted for commercial and tourism purposes.
In 2000, the western side of the harbour contained a car park, showers and toilets, a marina for private yachts, and an area for fishing boats. A road ran along the southern shore to a lifeboat station, while a disused castle stood on the eastern side near the public beach. Two docks extended into the harbour, one serving passenger ferries.
Today, a number of significant changes can be seen. The fishing boat area has been relocated further north, allowing the marina to be expanded. New cafés and shops have been built along the southern waterfront beside the lifeboat station, replacing part of the former road area. An additional block of showers and toilets has also been constructed near the lower car park, improving facilities for visitors.
Meanwhile, the dock and passenger ferry terminal remain largely unchanged, as does the public beach. The most notable redevelopment on the eastern side is the transformation of the previously disused castle into a tourist attraction. Overall, the harbour has become more modern and visitor-friendly while continuing to support marine transport and recreational boating.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all the key features of the harbour, including the changes to the marina, the addition of commercial facilities, and the transformation of the castle. The overview is clear and effectively summarises the main trends of redevelopment and modernisation. You have made relevant comparisons between the two time periods, such as noting the relocation of the fishing area and the expansion of the marina. The information is well-selected and logically presented, fully satisfying the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, a well-structured overview, and distinct body paragraphs that separate the description of the past from the changes seen today. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'While', and 'The most notable redevelopment' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related information, ensuring a smooth progression of ideas throughout the text. The flow is natural and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and urban development. Phrases such as 'undergone considerable redevelopment', 'visitor-friendly', and 'transformation of the previously disused castle' show a sophisticated command of language. The use of collocations is accurate, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is natural and fits the academic context of the task perfectly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex structures, such as participial phrases ('allowing the marina to be expanded') and subordinate clauses ('while continuing to support marine transport'), with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There is a good balance between simple and complex sentence forms, which contributes to the overall readability and professional tone of the report.
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