Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The plans illustrate the changes that have taken place in Porth Harbour between 2000 and the present day.
Overall, the harbour has been considerably modernised, with several facilities added for tourists, while some original features, such as the fishing area and castle, have been replaced or changed. The area has become more focused on leisure and tourism.
In 2000, the western side of the harbour contained two car parks, showers and toilets, a marina for private yachts, and a separate area for fishing boats. To the north-east, there was a dock and a passenger ferry service, while a public beach was located further north. A lifeboat station was situated near the road in the southern part of the harbour, and a castle was found on the south-eastern side.
Today, the harbour has undergone several developments. The fishing boat area has been moved to the north-west, where new showers and toilets have been built, while the previous fishing boat area has been converted into a larger marina for private yachts. In addition, cafés and shops have been constructed along the road near the lifeboat station, providing more facilities for visitors.
Another major change is that the castle in the south-east has been removed and replaced by a hotel. The southern beach area has also become private rather than public. However, the dock, passenger ferries, lifeboat station, main road, and northern public beach have remained largely unchanged. Overall, Porth Harbour has developed from a mainly fishing and transport-based harbour into a more commercial destination.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student has successfully covered all parts of the task, providing a clear comparison between the harbour layout in 2000 and the present day. An effective overview is included in both the second paragraph and the conclusion, highlighting the shift toward leisure, tourism, and commercial activities. Key features, such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boat areas, the addition of cafes and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach, are accurately reported without unnecessary or irrelevant details. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement at a high band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Progression is clear, starting with an introductory overview, moving into a description of the 2000 layout, detailing current developments, and concluding with a summary of permanent and changed features. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2000', 'Today', 'In addition', and 'Another major change' are managed well to guide the reader through the spatial and chronological shifts, resulting in smooth text flow.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to describing maps and changes over time. Less common and precise items such as 'modernised', 'relocated', 'converted', 'commercial destination', and 'largely unchanged' are used effectively. Word choice and collocation are generally accurate throughout. Although vocabulary is natural and sophisticated enough to support smooth reading, there are only minor instances where standard phrasal choices appear, keeping it just shy of the highest band. Overall, lexical control is strong and precise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The writing exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including relative clauses ('where new showers and toilets have been built'), passive constructions ('have been constructed'), and subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high degree of control over punctuation and tense consistency (past simple for 2000 and present perfect/simple for current changes). Occasional minor slips do not impede communication or detract from the sophisticated sentence architecture displayed throughout the essay.
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