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 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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour and provided a clear comparison between the two time periods. The overview effectively highlights the significant redevelopment. You covered all key changes, such as the relocation of the marina and the introduction of new amenities like the hotel and cafes. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial descriptions are precise; for instance, when mentioning the 'second car park' in the southwest, ensure the reader can clearly distinguish it from the original layout's features. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological and spatial progression. You use cohesive devices such as 'Regarding', 'Furthermore', and 'By contrast' effectively to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial state from the present-day layout. The flow of information is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear, making the report easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'redevelopment', 'relocated', 'designated', and 'transformed'. The language is precise and fits the context well. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To move into the higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'introduced' or 'replaced' to show greater flexibility in your lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice effectively to describe the changes, such as 'was replaced' and 'were introduced', which is appropriate for this task type. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex sentences. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and there are no errors that impede communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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