Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The two plans illustrate how Porth Harbour has changed since the year 200.

Overall, porth harbour has become more developed and tourist-oriented, with new hospitality facilities added or existing ones expanded, such as hotel, cafes and shops, and larger docks.

Since that time the harbour has undergone substantial redevelopment. The public beach on the north side remains, but the dock area has been expanded to include a second jetty for ferries. The fishing boats have switched places with the private marina.

On the south side, cafes and shops have been built immediately to the east of the marina, and shower and toilet facilities have been added near the car park.

Finally, the old castle has been converted into a hotel and the previously public beach has been made private for the use of its guests.

In conclusion, the Porth Harbour has underwent numerous changes to attract more population for the purpose of vacation, family trips.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the harbour's transformation, such as the expansion of the dock, the relocation of fishing boats, and the conversion of the castle. You have provided a clear overview and made relevant comparisons between the two time periods. However, the report could be improved by providing more precise data or specific locations for all changes mentioned. For instance, while you mention the 'north side' and 'south side', some descriptions lack the clarity needed to fully visualize the changes. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, moving from a general overview to specific developments on the north and south sides of the harbour. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different areas of change. You use cohesive devices such as 'Since that time', 'On the south side', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the information. However, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, though the conclusion is slightly repetitive in its phrasing regarding the purpose of the changes.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'tourist-oriented', and 'converted'. There are some minor errors, such as 'year 200' (likely a typo for 2000) and 'attract more population', which is slightly unnatural in this context. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the precision could be improved to reach a higher band. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication and natural collocation expected at the higher band levels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'Porth Harbour has underwent' (should be 'has undergone') and the missing article in 'such as hotel, cafes'. These errors are noticeable but do not impede communication. Your control over punctuation is generally good, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest. To improve, focus on ensuring consistent verb tense usage and checking for small errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage.

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

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