Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-27

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 diagrams illustrate that how the port harbour looked in 2000 versus now.

Overall, cafes, shops and hotel were the new facilites, however, the the remaining facilities were relocated and increased.

In 2000, there was only a one dock but today the harbour contains two docks. In the past, the marina (private yachts) were on the west side of the docks which is now swapped by the fishing boats, which were then located in the south of marina. Furthermore, there was a cark park attached to the road emerging from the main road towards the lifeboat, but in present, that car park is directly linked with the main road. New showers and toilets are also placed near the car park in the north.

Moreover, in 2000, the castle was situated in the south-east corner of harbour, which was not in used at that time. But today, it was replaced by the hotel and the public beach below it ,was now changed into a private beach for the hotel. And, the cafes and shops were also introduced just besides the lifeboat.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the main features of the maps, comparing the layout of Porth Harbour in 2000 with the present day. A clear overview is provided, highlighting the addition of amenities such as cafes, shops, and a hotel, alongside the relocation and expansion of other facilities like the marina and fishing boats. Key spatial changes, such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boat locations and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach, are correctly reported. The response covers all parts of the task well, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is structured into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs covering specific spatial transformations. Cohesive devices are used adequately to guide the reader through the comparisons (e.g., 'Overall', 'In 2000', 'Furthermore', 'Moreover'). However, paragraphing could be slightly more refined, and some transitional links feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, though minor awkwardness in phrasing occasionally interrupts the smooth progression of ideas. This aligns with the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing maps and spatial changes, incorporating terms such as 'relocated', 'swapped', 'situated', and 'amenities'. However, there are noticeable lexical and collocation errors, such as 'port harbour' instead of simply 'harbour', 'one dock' instead of 'a single dock', and 'not in used' instead of 'disused'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary sometimes result in awkward phrasing, placing this criterion at a Band 6.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which is now swapped by the fishing boats', 'that car park is directly linked with the main road'). However, grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text, such as 'illustrate that how the port harbour looked', 'there was only a one dock', and tense inconsistencies regarding past and present states ('which was not in used at that time. But today, it was replaced'). These errors indicate a Band 5.5 to 6.0 level.

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