Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-04

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 illustrate the changes that took place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable redevelopment. Several facilities have been added or relocated, while the castle has been replaced by a hotel and the former public beach has become a private beach for hotel guests.

In 2000, the western side of the harbour contained two car parks, showers and toilets, as well as a marina for private yachts. A separate area for fishing boats was situated further south. In the northern part of the harbour, there was a dock serving passenger ferries, while a lifeboat station was located near the road. The eastern side contained a public beach and a disused castle.

Today, the basic road network and passenger ferry dock remain largely unchanged. However, the fishing boats have been moved to the north-western side, and the former fishing-boat area has been converted into a marina. Showers and toilets have also been added beside the southern car park. In addition, cafés and shops have been constructed near the lifeboat station.

The most significant change is on the eastern side, where the disused castle has been replaced by a hotel. Consequently, the adjacent public beach has been converted into a private beach exclusively for hotel guests

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all the key changes, such as the relocation of the fishing boats, the addition of new facilities like the shops and cafés, and the significant transformation of the castle into a hotel. The overview clearly captures the essence of the redevelopment, and the comparisons between the two time periods are accurate and well-supported by the data provided in the maps. You have fully addressed all parts of the task, ensuring that the reader can easily visualize the evolution of the harbour from 2000 to the present day.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information effectively by location and thematic changes. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Consequently', and 'However' to link your points naturally. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial state of the harbour from the subsequent developments, which helps the reader follow the narrative of change without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a strong command of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'redevelopment', 'converted', 'adjacent', and 'exclusively'. The language is natural and fits the academic context of a report perfectly. There is a good range of vocabulary that allows for clear and accurate descriptions of the spatial changes. The word choices are consistently appropriate, and there are no instances where the vocabulary choice hinders the clarity of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('has been replaced', 'have been moved') and subordinate clauses, which are essential for describing processes and changes. The sentences are almost entirely error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over tense usage, shifting between the past state and the present, is handled with precision and consistency.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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