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 pictorial present the information on the recent development and modification of the Porth Harbour cost line.
Overall, a significant radical transformation and significant advancement occurs in Porth Harbour from 2000 to these days.
In the north east side, another dock is established, which enables to park more than one passenger ferries this aids to much more convenient transportation for public. Fishing boats and marina was swapped to each other in the waste side. Another block for showers and toilets was installed next to the car park. However, entrance of the car park was moved from the single lane and connected to a main road.
Moreover, in the south east side shops and cafes was build, which provide a refreshment to the tourists. Lifeboat remains the same throughout development period. Nevertheless, the castle was converted into hotel, and public beach nearby the hotel is now preserved for the hotel consumers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the new dock, the relocation of facilities, and the conversion of the castle. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, the description of the 'waste side' (likely meaning west) is unclear, and the report lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. While all parts of the task are addressed, the development of ideas is limited. The overview is present but could be more descriptive regarding the overall nature of the changes, such as the shift from a fishing-focused harbour to a more tourist-oriented facility. The information is generally accurate, but the lack of precise spatial referencing makes the report slightly difficult to follow.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of information. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Nevertheless' are used to link ideas. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as the transition between the north-east and west sides. Referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when describing locations. The overall structure is logical, moving from a general overview to specific details in different areas of the harbour, but the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more cohesive narrative. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the body details.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'pictorial' instead of 'diagrams' or 'map', and 'waste side' instead of 'west side'. The phrase 'these days' is informal for an academic report. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'modification', 'transformation', and 'advancement', the collocation is sometimes inaccurate, such as 'provide a refreshment'. The spelling is generally correct, but the range of vocabulary is limited, preventing the response from reaching a higher band. More precise terminology for describing map changes would enhance the quality of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The given pictorial present' (subject-verb agreement), 'shops and cafes was build' (passive voice error and subject-verb agreement), and 'enables to park' (incorrect verb pattern). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence construction is often clunky. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of errors in basic grammar—particularly subject-verb agreement and verb forms—prevents the writing from achieving a higher score. A greater focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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