Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-18
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 two maps illustrate how Porth harbour has changed between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, while the harbour's basic layout, including the dock, passenger ferries, and public beach in the north, has stayed the same, the southern part of the site has undergone significant redevelopment, most notably with the disused castle being replaced by a hotel.
In terms of facilities near the main road, the marina and fishing boats have effectively swapped positions. In 2000, the marina for private yachts was located beside the showers and toilets at the top, with the fishing boats further south near the second park. Today, the fishing boats are situated next to the northern showers and toilets, while the marina has moved south, next to a second set of showers and toilets. A new cafe and shop complex has also been built beside the southern car park, close to the lifeboat station, which remains in its original position.
The most striking change, however, is on the peninsula, where the disused castle has been demolished and replaced by a hotel. Consequently, the public beach that once ran along the southern shore has been converted into a private beach reserved exclusively for hotel guests, whereas the northern public beach remains unchanged and open to the public.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The candidate has fully and accurately addressed all parts of the task. The response provides a clear, well-developed overview of the main changes between the two maps of Porth harbour from 2000 to the present day. Key features—such as the swapping of positions between the marina and fishing boats, the addition of new facilities like cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach—are accurately reported and effectively compared. There are no notable omissions or factual errors regarding the visual data provided. The overview in the second paragraph successfully highlights the most salient transformations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organised and easy to follow. Ideas are clearly sequenced, beginning with a broad overview paragraph, followed by a detailed discussion of the northern and central infrastructure changes, and concluding with the most significant development on the peninsula. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the harbour's transformation. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'Today', 'consequently', and 'whereas' are employed naturally and flexibly to guide the reader through the comparison without appearing mechanical or overused.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The candidate demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range appropriate for an academic task 1 response. Vocabulary is used with precision to describe geographical and structural changes, using terms like 'redevelopment', 'relocated', 'demolished', and 'exclusive'. Less common lexical items and collocations are integrated naturally (e.g., 'undergone significant redevelopment', 'swapped positions', 'most striking change'). Word choice and spelling are accurate throughout, with only minor lexical slips absent, contributing to fluent communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The writer exhibits an impressive command of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple and complex sentences. The response contains a high proportion of error-free sentences, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'while the harbour's basic layout... has stayed the same', 'with the disused castle being replaced by a hotel'). Control over tense usage is excellent, maintaining appropriate distinctions between past states in 2000 and present arrangements. Punctuation is accurate, and syntax remains clear and controlled throughout.
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