Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-26
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 map illustrate the main developments that have been taken place in Porth Harbour from 2000 to the present day.
Overall, the habour has been significantly modernized with a clear shift toward tourism and commerical facilities. The most noticeable transformations include the restructuring of the boat mooring zones, the expansion of the passenger dock, and the replacement of historical ruins with a hotel.
In the western section of the harbour, the positions of the two main boating areas have been completely reversed. In 2000, the private yacht marina was located in thenorth-west near a car park and shower block, while the fishing boats were situated to the south. Today, the fishing boats occupy the north-western berths, and the private yacht marina has been relocated to the south. To accommodate this relocation, a new car park along with an additional shower has been constructed in the south-west. Additionally, the eastern dock has been expanded by adding two extra piers to handle more passenger ferries.
Major changes are also visible along the southern coastline. The disused castle in the south-east has been demolished to make way for a new hotel. Consequently, the public beach situated in front of it has been converted into a private beach for hotel guests, though the beach in the north remains open to the public. Finally, a new row of cafes and shops has been built along the central road, situated just next to lifeboat station.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the task, providing a comprehensive summary of the changes shown in the maps of Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the general shift toward tourism and commercial facilities. Key features are accurately reported and compared, such as the reversal of the boating areas, the expansion of the passenger dock, the addition of cafes and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach. The information is fully grounded in the visual data with no noticeable omissions or distortions, demonstrating strong task fulfillment.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response exhibits a clear and logical organisation from start to finish. Information is well-sequenced, moving from a general introduction and overview to specific geographical zones (the western section and the southern coastline). Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully (e.g., 'Consequently', 'Additionally', 'To accommodate this relocation'), guiding the reader smoothly through the temporal and spatial contrasts without appearing mechanical or repetitive.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a wide and appropriate range of vocabulary suited to describing map changes. Words and phrases such as 'modernized', 'restructuring', 'relocated', 'demolished', and 'converted' show strong lexical control. There are only a few minor slips or typos, such as 'map illustrate' in the opening sentence and 'commerical' instead of 'commercial'. Less common vocabulary items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, allowing for a precise and fluid description of the visual data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The response features a wide and flexible mix of complex sentence structures used accurately. Sentences such as 'To accommodate this relocation, a new car park along with an additional shower has been constructed in the south-west' demonstrate good command of subordinate clauses and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, though there is a minor subject-verb agreement slip in the very first sentence ('The map illustrate'). Overall punctuation and grammar control are maintained at a high standard throughout.
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