Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-10
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 illustration depicts the overall structural change of porth harbour in 2000 and at present.
Overall, the harbour has gone through a significant change, for instance, interchanging the specified purpose of different areas around the shores, additionally, faciliating more incomers.
Firstly, the number of dock has been doubled in the northern side of porth harbour. Moreover, cafetaria and shops is added near the lifeboat which is in southern area near lifeboat section. Castle, which was primarily disused, was superceded by hotel on the southeastern side of the porth harbour near private beach.
Secondly, marina, which is a private yachts section, and fishin boats have been interchanged, observed in the western coast. Also, new showers and toilets just to the left of marina private yachts. These facilities can be obtained through roads to the main road,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 you have identified some main features, such as the increase in docks and the addition of a hotel, the description is incomplete. Several areas of the map are overlooked, and the lack of sufficient length prevents a comprehensive summary of the changes. To improve, ensure you describe all major transformations and provide a more detailed overview of the harbour's evolution. The under-length penalty is applied here as the response is 15 words short of the requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' to signal new points. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the final sentence is incomplete, which disrupts the flow of the text. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more naturally. Additionally, ensure all sentences are complete to maintain logical flow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'structural change', 'disused', and 'superceded'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'interchanging the specified purpose' and 'faciliating more incomers', which sound unnatural. There are also minor spelling errors, such as 'cafetaria' and 'fishin'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations related to map descriptions and ensure accurate spelling of common terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('cafetaria and shops is added') and missing articles ('number of dock', 'near private beach'). Some sentences are also fragmented or lack proper closure. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall clarity. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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