Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The images illustrate the comparison of harbour structure now and how it was in 2000.
There is a visibal changes shows on the both pictures. The very first is dock, there was one in 2000 and now it makes two dock for the boats. Secondly it can be clearly seen that the shuffling positions of the fishing boats and the location of the private yachts.
On the other hand the cafe and shops was not in 2000 in a harbour now it's a good initiative to build the shops on South side when crossing the road and getting for life boat, it's best step for people's convenience. Apart from that there is no other changes can b seen. The main road is on the same place like before in 2000 on the west site.
Overall, there are some things that changes over the period of time however the structure is as same as before.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response identifies some main features, such as the addition of a second dock and the introduction of shops and a cafe. However, the analysis is superficial and lacks detail. For instance, the mention of 'shuffling positions' of boats is vague, and the report fails to describe the significant expansion of the harbour area or the removal of certain structures. The commentary on the shops being a 'good initiative' is subjective and inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report, which requires an objective summary of data. The overview is also quite weak, failing to capture the overall transformation of the site effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and limited use of cohesive devices. While transition words like 'secondly' and 'on the other hand' are used, they are often applied incorrectly or do not logically connect the ideas. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'getting for life boat', which makes the sequence of information difficult to follow. Paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information, leading to a somewhat disjointed reading experience.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. There are several spelling errors (e.g., 'visibal') and awkward collocations (e.g., 'shuffling positions', 'getting for life boat'). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the changes in the harbour with precision. The student relies on basic, repetitive language, and the attempt to use more descriptive terms is hampered by a lack of awareness regarding appropriate academic style and word choice. The vocabulary used is just enough to convey the basic meaning but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'cafe and shops was not'), article usage, and sentence structure (e.g., 'there is no other changes can b seen'). The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with some errors in basic syntax. Punctuation is also inconsistent. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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