Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The map illustrates the structural changes and developments that took place in Porth Harbour in 2000.
Overall, the area underwent significant changes, with the opening of new cafes & shops, and an extra Dock. The most noticeable development was the conversion of old castle into a new Hotel with a private beach.
In 2000, the Porth Harbour had a single Dock for passenger ferries which was upgraded and now it has the 2 docks to carry more passengers. Other than that, new cafes and shops are constructed on the west side of the lifeboat. The major development include the construction of the hotel which is replaced by the old castle in the northeast side of the Harbour, with a private beach for the hotel guests.
There was a spot for the fishing boats on the east side of car park which now allocated to the Marina (Marina's private yachts). And the fishing boats relocated in the west side of docks besides showers & toilets. In 2000, there were two car parks, one was connected with the main road while the other with a road that leads to lifeboat. Now, both car parks are connected with Main road to provide easy car parking. Moreover, the additional showers & toilets are also constructed near the Marina (private yachts).
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 student covers most of the key features of the two maps, highlighting the main changes such as the reconfiguration of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafes and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach. However, there are some inaccuracies in spatial reporting. For instance, the student states that the hotel is in the northeast side of the harbour when it is actually at the southeast headland, and confuses some compass directions. Despite these minor geographical misreadings, an overview is provided and the main comparisons are attempted, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is structured into four paragraphs, following a logical layout with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific spatial transformations. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall,' 'In 2000,' and 'Moreover.' However, referencing and transitions are sometimes clumsy, as seen in the phrase 'the hotel which is replaced by the old castle,' which reverses the passive/active relationship. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related changes, resulting in a coherent overall arrangement that earns a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing map changes, including terms like 'structural changes,' 'conversion,' 'upgraded,' and 'relocated.' There are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the 2 docks to carry more passengers' (docks do not carry passengers) and 'which now allocated to.' Spelling is generally accurate, but the limitations in lexical precision and occasional awkward phrasing place this response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and passive structures (e.g., 'are constructed,' 'were relocated'). However, grammatical errors occur throughout, particularly with prepositions and voice, such as 'the hotel which is replaced by the old castle' (meaning the castle was replaced by the hotel) and 'now allocated' missing a verb form ('is now allocated'). Punctuation is generally fine, and these errors rarely impede overall communication, supporting a Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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