Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-07
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 figure below illustrates the harbour in 2000 and how it looks after reconstruction at present.
The main road is situated on the left side of the port harbour from which a road branches off from the main road toward the lifeboat area and another small road branches off to a hotel where previously an empty castle was situated. The public beach on the north-eastern site got renamed as a private beach intended only for hotel guests in todays plan. Additionally cafes and shops are positioned next the lifeboat where previously no shops were found. The main road also branches into a short ro
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is significantly under-length at only 104 words. Furthermore, the essay is incomplete, ending mid-sentence. Because the response is unfinished, it fails to provide a full overview or a comprehensive summary of the main features. While the student identifies some changes, such as the road layout and the beach designation, the lack of a concluding summary and the incomplete nature of the text mean that the task is only partially addressed. To improve, ensure you complete the full analysis and provide a clear overview of the most significant changes observed between the two time periods.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response shows some attempt at logical organization by describing features in a sequence. However, the abrupt ending and the lack of paragraphing make the structure feel disjointed. Cohesive devices are used in a limited way, such as 'Additionally' and 'from which', but the overall flow is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. To achieve a higher band, you should organize your ideas into clear paragraphs—typically an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs—and ensure that your sentences are fully developed and connected with a wider variety of linking words.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'reconstruction', 'branches off', and 'positioned' being relevant to describing maps. However, the range is limited, and there is some repetition of basic structures. There are also minor collocation issues, such as 'next the lifeboat' (should be 'next to the lifeboat'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial description and change, such as 'transformed', 'extended', or 'converted', and ensure that prepositions are used accurately to describe the location of features.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The main road is situated on the left side... from which a road branches off'. While these attempts are generally understandable, the incomplete final sentence demonstrates a lack of control over sentence completion. There are minor grammatical errors, such as the missing preposition in 'next the lifeboat'. To improve, focus on ensuring that all sentences are grammatically complete and punctuated correctly. Increasing the variety of complex structures, such as using passive voice to describe changes, 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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