Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-21
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 6.0)
The diagram illustrates how Porth harbour looked in 2000 and how it appears today.
Overall, there have been significant changes to Porth harbour, including the addition of new facilities and the conversion of several existing areas. The fishing boat area has been replaced with a marina (private yachts), while the disused Castle has been converted into a hotel. In addition, the public beach was transformed into a private beach for hotel guests.
On the northwest side of the harbour, a second passenger ferry dock has been added, whereas there was only one passenger dock in 2000. Several commercial facilities have also been introduced. Cafes and shops have been built near the lifeboat area. The shower and toilet areas have been added near the car park and the beach area, which was previously open to the public, has also been turned into a private beach for hotel guests.
In conclusion, there has been major development in Porth Harbour since 2000, with several new facilities and changes to existing areas.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing an overview of the main changes in Porth Harbour between 2000 and today. Key features such as the conversion of the disused castle into a hotel, the transformation of the public beach into a private one, and the switching of the marina and fishing boat locations are accurately reported and contrasted. However, there are a few minor inaccuracies in the spatial details, such as mentioning a second passenger ferry dock being added when the visual data indicates an upgraded dock with additional jetties and berths. Nevertheless, the selection of main features is sound, and an appropriate overview is included, satisfying the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized logically into an introduction, overview, detailed body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The progression of information is generally clear, moving from overall transformations to specific geographical areas like the northwest side. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'In addition,' 'whereas,' and 'In conclusion,' though some referencing and transitions feel slightly repetitive. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the flow could be smoother and more sophisticated to reach higher bands.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a map comparison task, using functional terms such as 'converted,' 'transformed,' 'facilities,' and 'commercial facilities.' There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though certain descriptions are slightly repetitive (e.g., repeatedly mentioning the private beach and showers). Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, the student could incorporate a wider variety of precise synonyms and more sophisticated phrasing for spatial changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The writing exhibits a satisfactory mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions (e.g., 'The fishing boat area has been replaced with a marina,' 'Cafes and shops have been built'). Grammatical accuracy is generally good, and most sentences are clear, though there are minor redundancies. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout. The control over grammar is sufficient to ensure meaning is conveyed without difficulty, placing it comfortably in the Band 6.5 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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