Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given image illustrates the changes occur in harbour and how it look in 2000 and how it looks today. Interestingly, it can be clearly seen from image that drastic change occur from 2000.
To begin with, in the west, in 2000, there was only one area for shower and toilets but today there are two sections are made for showers and toilets and fishing boats and marina area are switched each other place in today and the remaining area are in same like car parking.
There is a drastic change occur in the south part. New building cafes and shops are created besides the lifeboat. castile area has been converted into hotel and private beach is only used by hotel only. In the north, there was only 1 dock in 2000 which was demolished and create 2 dock for passenger ferries.
Overall, there are many changes occur from 2000 to present and new buildings are added like new shower's and toilets, cafes and shops.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 transformation, such as the addition of facilities and the conversion of the castle. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes, which is a requirement for a higher band. While the main features are identified, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a cohesive summary of the overall trend. The comparison between the two time periods is present, but the lack of precise detail regarding the layout makes the report feel slightly underdeveloped in places.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive. For example, the phrase 'in the west' and 'in the north' are used to signal location, but the transitions between sentences are often abrupt. The logical progression of ideas is present, but the flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of varied linking words. Paragraphing is used, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved to better connect the changes described.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choice, such as 'switched each other place' and 'create 2 dock'. The student relies on basic terminology and struggles with collocations. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated phrasing that would demonstrate a higher level of control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, such as 'changes occur' instead of 'changes occurred' and 'how it look' instead of 'how it looked'. There are also issues with pluralisation and article usage, such as 'new shower's and toilets'. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors. These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause the reader to pause, though they do not completely impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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