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 two pictures show the changes that have been made over the years; the first image is from the year 2000, and the second is from the present.
Overall, the present harbour has changed a lot from what we see in the older image; there are many new things that have been constructed in the present which were not present in the past.
In the past image, there is a main road on the western side through which entrance to the harbour is possible, and there is also a branch road constructed from the main road through which access to the car park, lifeboat, public beach, and castle is possible. There are two public beaches: one on the northern side and the second on the southern side. Private yachts are on the eastern side next to the showers and car park.
In the present image, there are some changes compared to the past image. The location where the castle was situated now has a hotel, which is on the south-east side. The marina and fishing boats have also switched their locations. New cafes are now being opened next to the marina. The space of the docks has also increased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the harbour in 2000 and today, noting key changes such as the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel, the swapping of locations between the marina and fishing boats, and the addition of cafés and shops. An overview is present, although it is rather basic ('the present harbour has changed a lot'). While the student successfully highlights several comparisons, some details are slightly imprecise (e.g., stating new cafés are opened next to the marina when they are actually near the lifeboat station/road). Overall, all parts of the task are addressed, earning a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text has a clear overall arrangement, divided into an introduction, an overview paragraph, a description of the past layout, and a description of the present layout. Paragraphing is used appropriately. However, cohesion relies heavily on repetitive sentence openings and basic connectors such as 'In the past image', 'In the present image', and 'there is/are'. Referencing is generally clear, but the logical progression between sentences lacks sophistication, placing this criterion solidly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'constructed', 'situated', and 'switched their locations'. However, the vocabulary is often repetitive ('present image', 'past image', 'car park') and lacks the precision, flexibility, and less common lexical items expected at higher bands. Word choices are mostly appropriate, and errors do not impede communication, matching the descriptors for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('which were not present in the past') and subordinate clauses. There is good control over basic grammatical structures, and punctuation is generally correct. While there are some slightly awkward passive constructions ('are now being opened'), grammatical errors are infrequent and do not impede comprehension, justifying a Band 6.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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