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 map illustrates a port harbour in 2000 and its current condition.
Overall, there have been some significant changes. The biggest changes are the conversion of castle into a hotel, construction of cafes and shops, addition of new car park, showers and toilets.
Firstly, new showers and toilets have been constructed in the west near the car park which now connects to the main road. Secondly, a new dock has been added to the existing one in the North. Next, cafes and shops have been built near the lifeboat which is connected to both the main road and the the new hotel. Also, the buildings of the fishing boats and Marina for private yatchs have been interchanged.
Finally, the old disused castle has been either replaced or converted into a new hotel in the south-west and the public beach near the castle now serves as the private beach for the hotel. The hotel and the lifeboat are connected through a new road. Apart from these changes, the remaining buildings and installations remained same as they were in the year 2000 like the public beach in the North-East, old car park, lifeboat, showers & toilets etc.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of Porth Harbour in 2000 and comparing them with the current layout. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing major developments such as the hotel conversion, new cafes, and the relocation of amenities. Key spatial transformations are noted, including the swapping of the marina and fishing boat areas, the expansion of the dock, and the conversion of the disused castle into a hotel with a private beach. While some finer details are omitted, the response covers all critical shifts adequately and maintains a clear comparative focus throughout, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organised with a logical overall progression, moving from an introduction and overview to specific body paragraphs detailing west-to-east and structural changes. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Next', and 'Finally' are utilised to structure the narrative, though some transitions feel a little mechanical. Paragraphing is employed, but the grouping of ideas could be refined for better flow. Reference words like 'which' and 'the same' help maintain ties between sentences, though occasional minor slip-ups in referencing occur (e.g., repeating 'the the'). Overall coherence is maintained, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7.0 criteria.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task, employing terms like 'conversion', 'construction', 'interchanged', and 'installations'. There are some less common lexical items attempted, though occasional inaccuracies in word choice or phrasing appear, such as 'port harbour' (redundant) and 'yatchs' (spelling error for 'yachts'). Repetition of certain basic verbs ('constructed', 'added', 'built') is noticeable. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message clearly without impeding communication, aligning well with a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses ('which now connects', 'that remain same') and passive structures ('have been constructed'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings present, such as 'the remaining buildings and installations remained same' (missing article) and the duplicated 'the the' typo. Punctuation is generally functional, but minor slip-ups occur. The majority of simple sentences are accurate, and complex structures, although occasionally faulty, do not impede overall comprehension, placing this firmly at Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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