Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The diagrams illustrate the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present day.
Overall, the harbour has undergone several changes, with some existing facilities being replaced or relocated and a number of new features being added. However, the passenger ferry and lifeboat have remained in their original locations, while the parking area has also stayed in the same place.
The most significant change is that the disused castle has been converted into a hotel, and the former public beach has been transformed into a private beach for hotel guests. A new road has also been constructed from the existing road to provide access to the hotel. In addition, the positions of the fishing boats and the private yacht marina have been swapped.
In the southern part of the harbour, the car parking area has remained unchanged, while new showers and toilets have been built nearby. Furthermore, new cafés and shops have been constructed close to the lifeboat, in front of the road. Another new feature is a boat dock, which has been added to provide facilities for people using the harbour.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all key features of the harbour's transformation. You have successfully identified the major changes, such as the conversion of the castle into a hotel and the addition of new amenities like the boat dock and shops. The overview provides a clear summary of the trends, noting both the developments and the elements that remained static. Comparisons are made throughout, such as noting the relocation of the fishing boats and yacht marina. The information is well-selected and reported accurately, meeting the requirements for a clear and concise summary of the visual data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs that group information thematically. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the most significant structural changes to the smaller additions in the southern area. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Another new feature' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the main developments from the specific details, ensuring the reader can follow the comparison between the two time periods without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'converted', 'transformed', 'relocated', and 'constructed'. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic report. There is a good awareness of collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. While the range is solid, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or descriptive phrases related to urban planning or architectural changes could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports clear communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the passive voice construction 'has been converted into a hotel' and 'have been constructed'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede meaning. The majority of sentences are error-free, showing good control over tense usage, particularly the present perfect to describe changes over time. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the text.
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