Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The plan illustrates a Porth harbour back in 2000 and how it looks today.
Overall, there are significant changes that occur in Porth Harbour. It has become more developed and tourist oriented with new hotel, cafe and shops, larger dock areas and specific facilities.
In 2000, there used to be a single dock which has been expanded it's area and contain two docks. The marine beside the car park switched it's place with fishing boats. The cafes and shops are added ate the roadside. There used to be a castle which is now replaced by hotel as well as the public beach has also changed to the private beach for the hotel. Every other thing remains same.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the response. While the main features are identified, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive summary. For instance, the comparison between the two maps is superficial, and the analysis of the changes is under-developed. To improve, you must provide a more detailed breakdown of the specific changes, such as the expansion of the dock area or the relocation of the marina, and ensure you reach the required length to allow for a thorough report of the data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'there used to be'. The transition between the description of the docks and the other facilities is abrupt. To improve, you should use a wider range of linking words and phrases to connect your sentences more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, helping the reader follow your comparison of the two time periods more easily.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'significant changes' and 'switched its place'. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'Every other thing remains same' (should be 'remains the same') and 'tourist oriented' (should be 'tourist-oriented'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more specific vocabulary related to map descriptions, such as 'transformed', 'renovated', 'relocated', or 'converted', and ensure correct usage of adjectives and compound nouns.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempts at complex sentences, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'it's area' (should be 'its area'), 'switched it's place' (should be 'switched its place'), and 'cafes and shops are added ate the roadside' (should be 'at the roadside'). The use of articles and possessive pronouns is inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures and proofreading for common errors like subject-verb agreement and the misuse of apostrophes in possessive forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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