Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given maps demonstrate the changes in the layout of Porth Harbour, in 2000, to the present day.
Overall, the general structure remains similar however, few changes are noticeable.
There is no change in the location of lifeboat area, passenger ferries, and public beach. Additionally, the location of the car parking remained the same but the southern car park which was once connected to the main road is now connected to the link road. A new shower and toilet area has been added in addition to the old one in north to southern car park. The fishing boat and the marina had exchanged each others’ position. Moreover, the old unused castle is transformed into a hotel with a private beach to be used by the hotel.
Among some new location is the Cafes and shops that are right next to lifeboat area. Ultimately, A new dock has been constructed at the west side of the old one.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student covers the main changes in Porth Harbour successfully, identifying key developments such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boats, the transformation of the disused castle into a hotel with a private beach, and the addition of new amenities like cafés and shops. An overview is present, and comparisons are made effectively. However, there are some minor inaccuracies or slightly confusing descriptions, such as stating that a new dock has been constructed at the west side of the old one, whereas the plan shows a second jetty added to the northern dock entrance. Overall, the task is addressed well, matching the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall progression, moving from general observations to specific structural and functional modifications. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Additionally', 'Moreover', and 'Among some new location'. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped, with the bulk of the detail packed into a single dense body paragraph following a very short introduction and overview. Furthermore, minor referencing errors occur, such as 'exchanged each others' position' and the awkward phrasing 'Among some new location is the Cafes and shops'. Despite these lapses in cohesion and paragraphing, the logical flow remains comprehensible throughout.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully incorporating functional terms like 'layout', 'modification', 'transformed', and 'constructed'. Less common vocabulary is attempted, though occasionally with minor inaccuracies in collocation or word form, such as 'car parking' instead of 'car park', 'exchanged each others' position' instead of 'swapped positions', and the grammatical mismatch in 'Among some new location is the Cafes and shops'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary choice is sufficient to communicate the main changes clearly, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including relative clauses ('which was once connected to the main road') and passive constructions ('has been added', 'is transformed'). Control over grammar is mixed; while many sentences are accurate, some grammatical errors and awkward structures appear, such as 'few changes are noticeable' (missing an article), 'the location of the car parking remained the same' (minor plural/article slip), and 'Ultimately, A new dock...' (capitalisation error). These errors do not impede communication, allowing the response to achieve a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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