Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The layouts illustrate how a harbour looked in 2000 and how it looks in the present day.
Overall, the Porth Harbour underwent significant redevelopment, with new facilities being introduced, existing facilities being replaced or relocated.
Regarding the first layout in 2000, a dock was located in the north, with a boat and an area designated for passenger ferries, whereas showers and toilets, a marina, and a car park were located more towards the northwestern area. Furthermore, fishing boats and a second car park were situated in the southwestern area, while a lifeboat, a public beach and a castle were situated in the southeastern area.
Turning to the present layout of the Porth Harbour, another boat was introduced to the dock other than that, it remained unchanged, while the marina in the northwestern area was replaced with fishing boats. Furthermore, the marina was relocated to the southwestern area, where showers and toilets were introduced, whereas cafes and shops were added to the southern area. By contrast, the castle was replaced with a hotel, and the public beach was transformed into a private beach for the hotel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response successfully covers all key features of the harbour plans. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted the main changes, such as the relocation of the marina and the introduction of new amenities like the hotel and shops. The comparison between the two time periods is effective. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial descriptions are precise; for instance, the mention of 'another boat' is slightly vague. Overall, you have fulfilled the requirements of the task by selecting and reporting the most significant changes clearly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview and then the detailed body paragraphs. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'Furthermore', and 'By contrast' to link your ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two time periods. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the 2000 layout and the present-day layout is easy to follow. The use of referencing is generally clear, contributing to the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'relocated', 'transformed', and 'designated'. The language is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve further, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms to describe the changes, such as 'underwent a transformation' or 'was converted into'. The current range is adequate and allows for clear communication of the visual data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is good. There are occasional minor slips, such as the run-on sentence in the final paragraph ('...other than that, it remained unchanged, while the marina...'), which could be improved with better punctuation or conjunction usage. However, these errors are infrequent and do not hinder the reader's understanding. You show good command of passive voice, which is essential for describing changes in a process or plan.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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