Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The maps illustrates the porth Harbour view in two different times. Some new ameneties has been introduced in the new map.Castle has been replaced with hotel, cafes and shops, and private beach are also build in new map.
In the west of the map near the main road in 2000 there was only one block available for showers and toilets but recently along with the car park one more block has introduced for this. Moreover marina private yachts and fishing boats are switched with each other.
In addition to changes, the dock size have increased to some extent. while passenger ferries in the center of the map, and life boat has no change in size and location as well. Publich beach has been converted into a private bach for the hotel residents. While in the north east of the map the public beach is on same place with same size as it was in 2000.
As the castle was disused in 2000 has been converted to a hotel and new access of road has been given to this hotel. Overall the map has same overview with some changes among few different places.
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 response covers several key changes shown on the maps, such as the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel, the swapping of the marina and fishing boat locations, and the addition of cafés and shops. However, the overview is rather vague ('the map has same overview with some changes'), and some descriptions lack precise spatial relations. For instance, stating that the dock size has increased is a misreading of the plan, which shows an additional jetty and berthed boats rather than an expansion of the dock itself. While the student attempts to address the main features, certain parts of the task are only partially or inaccurately reported, placing this response at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs detailing specific spatial changes, and a concluding remark. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed, and cohesive devices are used rather mechanically (e.g., 'In addition to changes,' 'While'). Paragraphing is present, but overall logical flow and referencing between sentences occasionally break down, such as abrupt transitions between the layout descriptions and the hotel redevelopment. Cohesion is adequate for a Band 5.5, but lacks the flexibility and smooth progression required for a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive ('ameneties', 'block', 'place', 'size'). There are several spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'ameneties' instead of 'amenities', 'Publich' instead of 'Public', and 'bach' instead of 'beach'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary like 'introduced' and 'converted', but inaccuracies in collocation and form are noticeable (e.g., 'new access of road has been given'). These lexical slips occasionally cause strain for the reader, placing the response firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The maps illustrates', 'ameneties has'), missing articles ('Castle has been replaced with hotel'), and awkward phrasing ('are also build in new map'). Punctuation is also faulty in places, such as missing commas after introductory phrases and incomplete sentence boundaries. Because frequent errors disrupt grammatical accuracy and occasionally hinder readability, a score of 5.0 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.