Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-28
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 6.0)
The two maps depict the layout of Porth Harbour in 2000 and its current appearance.
Overall, the harbour has significantly changed over the years. While the dock, public beach, passenger ferries and life boat have been remained, the marina and other facilities have been changed considerably.
In 2000, there was private marina yachts in the north-western part of harbour, while fishing boat located in the south. On the left side of fishing boat and the marina, parking areas, showers and toilets were situated. In the eastern part, there was a dock for passenger ferries, as well as a public beach in the north-east. A disused castle presented on the south side with lifeboat and public beach.
Toaday, some areas have been unchanged, while several areas have been significantly redeveloped. The marina and the fishing boats have been ex-changed their place. Meanwhile, on the left side, showers, toilets and car parking areas have been not changed. Furthermore, cafes and shops have been constructed near the lifeboat station. The most pivotal construction occured on the south side which is the disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and public beach has become a private beach.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of Porth Harbour in 2000 and comparing them with current changes. An overview is provided, highlighting that significant transformations occurred. Key changes such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafes and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach are correctly noted. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in feature locations and phrasing (e.g., stating the public beach became private when a new private beach was added while the public beach remained in the north-east). Nevertheless, the response covers all main aspects well, placing it solidly in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, moves to an overview paragraph, details the past layout, and concludes with current developments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different periods. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the comparison, such as 'While', 'In 2000', and 'Today', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure. Referencing is mostly clear, though occasional awkward phrasing creates slight bumps in readability. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for a Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'marina', 'passenger ferries', 'lifeboat station', and 'redeveloped'. However, there are several lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'have been remained' instead of 'remained', 'private marina yachts', 'fishing boat located' (singular/plural mismatch), and 'ex-changed their place' instead of 'swapped' or 'interchanged'. Spelling is generally correct, but word-formation and collocation errors prevent the lexical score from reaching higher bands. The vocabulary is minimally sufficient to convey the intended meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses and passive voice constructions (e.g., 'have been constructed', 'has been replaced'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly involving verb tenses and voice, such as 'have been remained', 'disused castle presented', 'have been not changed', and 'occured' (spelling). Sentences attempting complex structures often contain errors, although these errors rarely impede overall communication. Control over basic structures is evident, but accuracy issues across more complex forms place this criterion at Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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