Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11
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 8.5)
The two maps illustrate the changes that have taken place at Port Harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable redevelopment, with the most notable changes being the replacement of the old castle by a hotel and the introduction of commercial facilities, while the main harbour infrastructure and public beach have remained largely unchanged.
In 2000, the northern part of the harbour contained a public beach, while a dock and a number of berths for passenger ferries were situated in the central area. A lifeboat station was located just below the ferry berths. To the west of the harbour, there was a marina for private yachts, together with facilities such as showers and toilets and a car park. Further south, several fishing boats were moored, and the main road ran along the southern side of the harbour. At the south-eastern end stood a disused castle.
At present, the basic layout of the harbour remains similar, although several facilities have been added or altered. The castle has been demolished and replaced with a hotel, which is now connected to the main road by a new access road. In addition, cafés and shops have been constructed beside the marina, providing new commercial amenities for visitors. Another set of showers and toilets has also been added close to the marina area.
Meanwhile, the public beach, marina, dock, passenger ferry area, lifeboat station and fishing-boat area have largely retained their original positions. Thus, despite substantial development, the harbour has preserved much of its original maritime function while becoming more oriented towards tourism and visitor services.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the harbour, including the static elements and the significant developments. Your overview clearly highlights the shift from a purely functional maritime space to one with increased tourism amenities. By contrasting the demolition of the castle with the addition of commercial facilities, you have provided a comprehensive summary that fully addresses the prompt. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, ensuring the reader gets a clear picture of the changes between 2000 and the present day.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is logically organised, with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview, followed by a detailed description of the past and present states. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the temporal stages. You have employed a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'In addition', 'Meanwhile', and 'Thus', which help the text flow naturally. The referencing is precise, and the relationship between the different parts of the harbour is clearly articulated throughout the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
Your vocabulary is precise and well-suited to the task of describing maps. You use a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'redevelopment', 'maritime function', 'amenities', and 'moored' with high accuracy. The language is sophisticated and natural, demonstrating a strong command of collocations. There are no errors in word choice, and the vocabulary effectively conveys the changes in the harbour's layout and purpose without being repetitive.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and passive constructions (e.g., 'has been demolished and replaced', 'have been constructed'). The control over punctuation and sentence structure is excellent, and the writing is entirely error-free. The use of varied sentence beginnings and clear, accurate verb tenses (present perfect for changes, past simple for the 2000 state) shows a high level of grammatical flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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