Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The maps demonstrate changes that occurred in the 2000 in the today.

Looking from the overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the Porth Harbour has became more modern including

hotel, two dock, added one showers and toilets.

It is conspicuous that It is conspicuous that several facilities in the western part of the harbour have been relocated or added. The marina for private yachts, which was in the northwest in 2000, has been moved to the southwest area. Meanwhile, the fishing boats have been relocated to the former marina area. Showers and toilets and a car park have been added near the new marina, while another car park and showers and toilets remain close to the main road.

It can be observed that the eastern and southern parts of the harbour have also undergone significant changes. The disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and the former public beach has become a private beach for the hotel. In addition, cafés and shops have been constructed near the lifeboat. The dock and passenger ferry facilities remain in the harbour, while the public beach in the northeast has remained unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The candidate has attempted to address the task by summarizing the main changes between 2000 and today at Porth Harbour. However, the overview is somewhat weak and contains grammatical errors ("has became more modern including hotel, two dock"). While the response correctly identifies several key alterations—such as the relocation of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel—the overall development and selection of features are limited. The response satisfies the basic requirements of selecting and reporting main features, but lacks a fully developed overview and precise summarization.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction followed by body paragraphs focusing on specific areas of the harbour. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparisons, such as "Meanwhile", "In addition", and "It can be observed that". However, referencing is sometimes repetitive and mechanical. Paragraphing is adequate, but the overall progression could be smoother if the introductory overview were more cohesive and comprehensive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with appropriate references to geographical features and harbour facilities such as "marina", "fishing boats", "lifeboat", and "passenger ferry". However, there are notable lexical and morphological errors, such as "has became" instead of "has become" and repetitive phrasing ("It is conspicuous that It is conspicuous that"). Less common vocabulary is attempted ("relocated", "constructed"), but overall flexibility is restricted by frequent inaccuracies in word choice and form.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses ("which was in the northwest in 2000") and passive voice constructions ("have been relocated", "have been constructed"). However, control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors, such as tense usage ("changes that occurred in the 2000 in the today"), singular/plural agreement ("two dock" instead of "two docks"), and unnecessary word repetition. These errors occasionally disrupt the flow of reading, though communication is generally maintained.

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