Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
The plans show the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and today. Overall, the harbour has become more developed and tourist-oriented. The main changes include the relocation of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel.
In 2000, there was a private yacht marina in the western part of the harbour, while the fishing boats were located further south. Today, these two areas have changed places, with the fishing boats occupying the former marina area and the private yacht marina moved to the southern side. The dock and passenger ferry area in the northern part have remained.
Several new facilities have also been added. A second showers and toilets building and another car park have been constructed on the western side. In addition, cafés and shops have been built beside the road near the lifeboat station.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making clear comparisons between the harbour in 2000 and today. An effective overall summary is provided in the introduction, highlighting the shift toward a more developed and tourist-oriented layout. Key features such as the swapped locations of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel are accurately and clearly described. The response is fully grounded in the provided visual data without introducing extraneous assumptions, meeting all criteria for a high band score under Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically organized into three well-structured paragraphs, moving from an introductory overview to specific spatial changes and finally to new facilities. Ideas are clearly sequenced with appropriate cohesive devices such as 'while', 'Today, these two areas have changed places', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, creating a smooth progression of information that makes the text easy to follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a map comparison task. Phrases like 'relocation of the marina', 'tourist-oriented', 'occupying the former marina area', and 'have been constructed' show good control of topic-specific language and lexical collocation. There are only occasional minor limitations, but the vocabulary is precise enough to convey all intended spatial and developmental changes clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
A good mix of simple and complex sentence structures is utilized throughout the response. The student successfully incorporates passive voice forms ('have been added', 'have been constructed', 'have been built') and subordinate clauses ('while the fishing boats were located', 'with the fishing boats occupying'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is well maintained, ensuring that punctuation and sentence boundaries never impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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