Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-13
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 provided map illustrates the layout of harbour in 2000 compared its current appearance.
Overall, it can be observed at a glance that in 2000, the castle was disused and there was only 1 dock in North. In the present day plan, a hotel, a second dock and passenger toilets have been added.
In 2000, there was a Marina in west for passengers where they can got private yachts and 1 toilet. Also the fishing boat was very large. Moreover there was a public beach where passengers can spend quality time and 2 car parks connected to main road whereas the castle was disused.
The analysis of second plan reveals that there are 2 car parks that directly links to main road and 2 toilets. The marina area become increased significantly and there are cafes and shops providing delicious cuisine. However, the old castle was transformed into hotel that directly links to the road and have a private beach due to which they facilitate their passengers to enjoy beach. A second dock was added.
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
The response covers the main features of the maps, noting key developments such as the addition of the hotel, passenger toilets, a second dock, cafes and shops, and the expansion of the marina. Comparisons between the two time periods are attempted, as seen when stating that the castle was disused in 2000 and has since been transformed into a hotel. However, some details are slightly imprecise or under-developed, such as the vague reference to the marina area becoming increased significantly without specifying exact changes. Furthermore, some minor features like the fishing boat and private beach are described rather than synthesized into a clear overview of the spatial transformation. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing it firmly at a Band 6.0 level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The report has a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and distinct body paragraphs discussing the past and present layouts. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Overall, it can be observed at a glance', 'In 2000', and 'Moreover'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, sentences within paragraphs can feel disjointed, and expressions like 'The analysis of second plan reveals' lack natural flow. Paragraphing is present and separates the introduction, overview, and body sections, but internal progression between sentences could be smoother. These issues align with the characteristics of a Band 6.0 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'layout', 'disused', 'marina', and 'transformed'. Attempts are made to use less common vocabulary, such as 'significantly', 'cuisine', and 'facilitate', though some collocations and word choices are inaccurate or awkward, for instance, 'the marina area become increased significantly' and 'have a private beach due to which they facilitate their passengers to enjoy beach'. Spelling is generally accurate, but awkward phrasing and unnatural lexical choices occasionally impede smooth reading. This vocabulary profile reflects a solid Band 6.0 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases ('In the present day plan, a hotel...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms, articles, and prepositions. Examples include 'layout of harbour' (missing article), 'compared its current appearance' (missing preposition), 'there was only 1 dock in North' (missing article), 'where they can got private yachts' (tense error), and 'the road and have a private beach' (agreement error). While these errors do not severely impede overall communication, they occur regularly throughout the response, restricting the grammar score to a 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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