Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29

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 maps compare the harbour in 2000 with its present-day layout.

Overall, the harbour has undergone significant redevelopment throughout the period, with many original features being removed or replaced. The unused castle has been converted into a hotel. The public beach has been replaced by a private beach. Moreover, extra showers and toilets facilities have been introduced now beside the marina (private yachts). In the present-day map, cafés and shops have been added in southern side of beach above road.

Although, main road remained the same as previous, however southern car park before was connected from dowside of road, has now been changed connecting to main road from western side. In comparison, Fishing boats and Marina (private yachts) has been interchanged together now fishing boats remain on the north side whereas private yachts on south side, beside which cafe and shops has also constructed.

The present harbour has now couple of pier where boat can dock with passenger ferries on eastern side. South side road has been reconstructed to divide into two paths one leading to life boat and the other to hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The candidate successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the two maps of Porth Harbour in 2000 and today. A clear overview is provided, highlighting major changes such as the redevelopment of the castle into a hotel and the swapping of the marina and fishing boat locations. Key features and comparisons are reported adequately, mentioning the additions of cafés, shops, and the private beach. However, some minor details are slightly imprecise or under-developed, such as the exact positioning of the new facilities. Overall, the response covers the visual data well and fulfills the requirements of Academic Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and overall statement, followed by body paragraphs detailing specific spatial and structural changes. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'Moreover', and 'In comparison'. However, referencing and transitions are occasionally awkward or mechanical, as seen in phrases like 'southern side of beach above road' and 'interchanged together now fishing boats remain on the north side'. Paragraphing is sufficient, but logical progression could be smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'redevelopment', 'converted', and 'interchanged'. There are, however, noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'extra showers and toilets facilities' (incorrect pluralisation/collocation) and 'dowside of road'. Spelling is generally accurate, but limitations in lexical precision and natural phrasing restrict the score to a band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'although' and relative clauses. However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'cafés and shops have been added in southern side of beach above road' (missing articles) and 'Fishing boats and Marina (private yachts) has been interchanged' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is also occasionally weak, causing run-on or disjointed clauses. The errors do not completely impede communication but occur regularly.

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