Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-22
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 5.0)
The given map depicts how a port has been transformed from 2000 till now.
overall,the castle has been removed and a hotel has been constructured, in addition to that, a cafe shop has been opened near the lifeboat area. furthermore, the northest part of the port has remained the same.
In harbour 2000, only one dock was built on the public beach while a castle was constructed in the southest part of the port, marina private yachts and nearby toilets and a car park were established in the northwest. whereas fishing boats and another car park built to the south of the marina private yachts.
As for harbour today. new facilites have been reconstructed for the prosperity. More docks have been built and a hotel in the southern part of the port has replaced the castle.moreover, extra shopps have been opened near the lifeboat and a new road has been constructured, the car parks in the weatern part have been renovated and the
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the main changes between the two maps, noting the removal of the castle and the addition of a hotel, along with changes to docks and cafes. However, the response is cut short abruptly in the final paragraph, leaving sentences incomplete (e.g., 'the car parks in the weatern part have been renovated and the'). Furthermore, key spatial changes such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boats are missed or inaccurately described. Because the response is underdeveloped and incomplete at the end, it meets the criteria for Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text attempts a paragraph structure, including an introductory overview and body paragraphs. However, paragraphing is chaotic with irregular spacing and indented blocks. Cohesive devices are minimal, and referencing is sometimes confusing. The abrupt cut-off at the end severely disrupts the overall flow and logical progression of the text. Because of these structural issues and lack of cohesive control, the response fits the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with several spelling errors ('constructured', 'southest', 'shopps', 'weatern'). While the student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'marina', 'lifeboat', and 'facilities', the range is limited and word choice is occasionally awkward. Errors in spelling and word formation occur throughout, though they do not completely impede communication. This corresponds to a Band 5.0 lexical level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but control is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as passive voice misuse ('a hotel has been constructured', 'fishing boats and another car park built') and missing verbs. Punctuation is also problematic, marked by missing capital letters at the beginning of sentences and commas used incorrectly. Due to the frequent errors and the unfinished final sentence, a Band 5.0 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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