Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-06
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 diagram is showing the difference between the previous porth harbour in the year 2000 and the its structure and development now. Its has shown the differences into the structure and the building as there were two car parks and one shower and toilet area near one side of car park but now it has another toilet area near the second car park as well. Moreover, the places of marina private yatchs and the fishing boats have been switched with each other. There is an addition of building for cafe and shops along the road side. next to the lifeboat. The disused castle is now changed into a hotel and the public beach is reserved as a private beach reserve only for hotel use. There was one dock near the public beach but now there are two docks with there two seperate boats along them. However passenger ferries remain at the same place near the docks.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the addition of the cafe, the conversion of the castle, and the changes to the beach and docks. However, the report lacks a clear overview, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The information is presented as a list of changes rather than a structured summary. While the key features are identified, the lack of an introductory summary paragraph or a concluding synthesis of the overall trend limits the effectiveness of the report. To improve, you should group related changes (e.g., infrastructure vs. commercial facilities) and provide a clear overview of the most significant changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single block of text, which significantly impacts the coherence. IELTS Academic Task 1 requires clear paragraphing to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. While there are some cohesive devices used, such as 'Moreover' and 'However', the overall flow is somewhat mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'the its structure', which disrupts the reader's flow. To improve, you should organize your response into at least three distinct paragraphs: an introduction/overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on different aspects of the harbour's development.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate to convey the changes, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. There are several awkward phrasings, such as 'porth harbour' (likely a typo for 'port') and 'switched with each other'. The use of 'disused castle' is good, but the overall range is limited. You rely on basic verbs like 'changed' and 'shown'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to urban planning and development, such as 'converted', 'expanded', 'redeveloped', or 'transformed', and ensure accurate word choice throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The diagram is showing' (should be 'The diagram shows'), 'Its has shown' (incorrect subject-verb agreement), and 'with there two seperate boats' (incorrect homophone 'there' instead of 'their' and spelling error 'seperate'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the control over basic grammar is inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and spelling. Practicing the construction of complex sentences using relative clauses or passive voice would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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