Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-02
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 diagram illustrates the changes done on Harbour port after the 2000. looking from an overall perspective it is evident there were so many developmental changes happen on port Harbour such as old disused castle were recontruct into hotel while the number of docks increased for ferries and showers and toilets build adjacent to the car park which was in south west.
On the one hand there were two dock for ferries and pulic beach was in northeast side while the marina of private yacht was on north side next to this there was car park and shower and toilets for visitor. Moreover there was fishing boats was in southwest side next to there was another car park.In addition to this the which was not use for long time was in south east side.
On the other hand the number of docks increase the place of fishing boats exchang with the marina after construction there was addition of shower and toilets which had adjacent to cark of south west side and next to life boat the cafe build. furthermore the road length increased because the old castle converted into new hotle.
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 provides a general overview of the changes, but it lacks precision and clarity. While you identify key features like the hotel, docks, and amenities, the description of locations is often confusing or inaccurate (e.g., 'south west' vs 'north east'). The summary of the 'main features' is hindered by a lack of clear comparison between the two time periods. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 2000 layout with the current layout rather than listing features in isolation. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the most significant transformations, such as the shift from a fishing-focused harbour to a more tourist-oriented facility.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is frequently interrupted by unclear referencing and awkward transitions. Phrases like 'next to this' and 'next to there' are used repetitively and often refer to ambiguous locations, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial layout. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'In addition to this', they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. The progression of ideas is not always smooth, and the lack of clear spatial markers makes the description of the harbour's layout confusing. Improving the use of cohesive devices to link spatial information would greatly enhance the clarity of your report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'changes', 'place', and 'build'. There are several instances of incorrect word forms and collocations, such as 'recontruct into hotel' (reconstructed into a hotel) and 'place of fishing boats exchang with the marina' (the fishing boat area was replaced by the marina). Spelling errors, such as 'pulic', 'hotle', and 'cark', also detract from the quality of the writing. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to maps and urban development, such as 'converted', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed', and ensure accurate spelling throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'there was fishing boats was', 'number of docks increase'), missing articles (e.g., 'in south west'), and incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'cafe build' instead of 'cafe was built'). Sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that passive voice is used correctly when describing changes to infrastructure. Proofreading for missing articles and verb endings will also help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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