Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-09
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 maps below demonstrates the change in the layout of the Porth harbour in the year 2000 and in the present day.
There were few changes made to the overall design in the present such as installation of cafes and shops and some interchange in the boating area and replacement of public beach to private beach.
To the previous design when compared, east to the main road, the Porth Harbour beach was located the same, with few changes in the structure. Car parking being the same, there was an additional showers and toilets arrangement done. The position of marine (private yachts) to the north and the fishing boat to the south were now swapped with each other. Public beach located on the northeastern side remained the same.
Furthermore, along the road, cafes and shops are an additional development with the lifeboat facility to the left. Taking a right from the road, the disused castle in the 2000s is now a hotel, and the former public beach adjacent to it is now a private beach for the hotel.
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
You have successfully identified the main features of the harbour, such as the addition of shops and cafes, the conversion of the castle into a hotel, and the relocation of boat facilities. However, the response lacks a clear overview paragraph, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. While you mention some changes, a summary of the most significant trends—such as the shift toward commercial and tourist-focused infrastructure—would improve the response. Additionally, some descriptions are slightly confusing, such as the mention of 'interchange in the boating area' without clearly specifying the swap of the marina and fishing boats initially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward. For example, the phrase 'To the previous design when compared' is unnatural and disrupts the flow. The transition between the general overview and the specific details could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is generally logical, the lack of a clear introductory overview and the slightly disjointed sentence structure within the body paragraphs prevent a higher score. Using a wider variety of linking words would improve the overall cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'disused,' 'adjacent,' and 'development.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'interchange in the boating area' is not the most precise way to describe the relocation of facilities. Additionally, 'additional showers and toilets arrangement done' is clunky. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology for spatial descriptions and ensuring that collocations sound natural. The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. For example, 'The maps below demonstrates' contains a subject-verb agreement error. 'There were few changes made... such as installation of cafes' lacks necessary articles. Furthermore, 'To the previous design when compared' is a fragmented and awkward construction. While you attempt complex sentences, the control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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