Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-12
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 6.5)
The given layout plan represent the difference in look of the Porth Harbour in 2000 and today. Along with structural modifications, many areas are added like cafes, shops, and hotel which did not exist before.
Overall, on the south-west side of the layout, new shower and toilet area is added between the car parking in addition to preexisting area on the north-west side of the region. Notably, in 2000, a single dock area near the public beach managed the ferry parking which is considerably expanded to two docks standing perpendicular to each other after reconstruction.
The location of marina private yachts and fishing boats is switched upside down in the new plan. Additionally, the old castle near the public beach is refurbished to a huge hotel property with the private beach for their guests. Cafes and shops are added on the opposite side of the dock parking and beside the lifeboat parking.
New road is constructed parting the way from the main road which directly connects to the hotel for smooth transportation. In conclusion, there are notable difference in the plan of the Porth Harbour which makes this location more efficient and modernised for the society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers all key features of the harbour changes between 2000 and today, successfully identifying major developments such as the expansion of the ferry docks, the conversion of the old castle into a hotel, and the addition of new recreational areas like cafes and shops. The student presents a clear overview in the introductory and concluding paragraphs and makes relevant comparisons throughout, such as noting that the ferry docks expanded from a single dock to two perpendicular docks. However, some descriptions are slightly generalised or lack precise spatial referencing, which places this response comfortably at Band 6.5 to 7.0. Because all parts of the visual prompt are adequately addressed with relevant comparisons, the task achievement is solid.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs detailing the western and eastern changes, and ending with a clear conclusion. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Notably', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and progression are occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel slightly abrupt. For instance, the transition into the discussion of the marina and hotel could be smoother. Overall, the essay maintains a coherent structure and clear progression throughout, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and layout changes, employing terms like 'structural modifications', 'refurbished', 'perpendicular', and 'efficient'. There are some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'represent the difference in look' instead of 'represent the changes in appearance', and 'dock parking' instead of 'dock area'. Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication, earning a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'cafes, shops, and hotel which did not exist before' and 'parting the way from the main road which directly connects'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'The given layout plan represent' (subject-verb agreement error), 'new shower and toilet area is added' (missing article), and 'there are notable difference' (pluralisation error). Nonetheless, these errors do not impede overall communication, supporting a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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