Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The plans illustrate the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable development, particularly with the introduction of new tourist facilities. The most notable changes are the relocation of the fishing and yacht areas, the construction of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel. However, the public beach and lifeboat station have remained in the same general locations.

In 2000, the area on the western side of the harbour contained a marina for private yachts, a fishing-boat area and two car parks, with showers and toilets located in the north-west. Today, the fishing boats have been moved to the former yacht marina, while the private yachts now occupy the area further south. An additional shower and toilet block and a second car park have also been added.

Elsewhere, the central dock and passenger-ferry facilities remain, although the dock has been slightly rearranged. A new area containing cafés and shops has been built beside the lifeboat station. Finally, the disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and the former public beach has become a private beach for hotel guests.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the harbour, such as the relocation of the fishing and yacht areas, the addition of tourist facilities, and the conversion of the castle into a hotel. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the most significant changes. You have successfully compared the 2000 layout with the present day, ensuring all parts of the prompt are addressed. The information is well-selected and logically presented, providing a clear summary of the transformation without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a strong overview, and two body paragraphs that group information by location and theme. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2000', 'Today', 'Elsewhere', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the chronological and spatial changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different areas of the harbour. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes. Phrases like 'undergone considerable development', 'disused castle', and 'passenger-ferry facilities' are used naturally and accurately. The vocabulary is varied, avoiding repetition and contributing to a professional tone. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice appropriately to describe the changes (e.g., 'have been moved', 'has been replaced', 'has been built'), which is essential for this type of task. Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the majority of sentences are error-free.

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

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