Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-17
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 given diagram illustrates the redevelopment of harbour village from the year 2000 since now.
In the year 2000, there was a single dock for the boats in the centre of the map , which refurbished into two boats parking now ,However public beach remains unchanged. Moving towards fishing boats and private yachts parking that is being shuffled with each other in today's time.
In current harbour map, there is cafes & shops opened at the riverside of the valley for tourists to relax themselves and can enjoy wonderful view of river. At the right bottom there was an area used to be a disused castle, but now it is converted into a luxury hotel.Last but not least ,two car parks stands similar to their place ,however there is an addition of one shower & toilets in front of bottom car park .
overall, numerous changes has been occurred in a Porth harbour since the year 2000. One new dock is added , cafe and hotel for the tourists . Rest everything remains similar to their old look.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the main features of the two maps of Porth Harbour, noting key alterations such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the castle with a hotel. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting specific details, such as misinterpreting the dock expansion and referring to 'two boats parking now'. The overview is somewhat basic ('numerous changes has been occurred'), but it captures the overall transformation. The response satisfies the basic requirements of Academic Task 1, though the development of some points lacks precision and clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, which helps structure the response, though the progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed. Cohesive devices are attempted (e.g., 'Moving towards', 'In current harbour map', 'Last but not least'), but they are occasionally used awkwardly or mechanically. Referencing between sentences is sometimes unclear, particularly when describing spatial shifts, such as 'that is being shuffled with each other'. Overall arrangement provides a basic framework, but logical flow and cohesion require improvement.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'redevelopment', 'refurbished', and 'luxury hotel'. However, there are frequent inappropriate word choices and collocations, such as 'boats parking', 'riverside of the valley', and 'two car parks stands similar to their place'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control is limited, which occasionally causes ambiguity or detracts from the quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are several noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'redevelopment of harbour village from the year 2000 since now', 'that refurbished into two boats parking now', and 'numerous changes has been occurred in a Porth harbour'. Punctuation and article usage are also inconsistent. These errors require some effort from the reader to decode, placing the performance firmly in the Band 5 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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