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 given diagrams illustrate what a harbour looked like in 2000 compared with its map today. Overall, the Porth harbour underwent significant changes, with an increase in the number of showers and toilets and the introduction of new cafes and shops, while the castle was converted into a hotel.
In 2000, there was only one dock compared with two docks now. The number of car parking areas, private beach and lifeboat remained the same, but showers and toilets rise to two. Now, Fishing boats and the marina have exchanged their locations with each other. In 2000, there was a castle and a public beach which is now converted into a hotel and a private beach. The beach can only be used by hotel and is no longer for the common people now. The porth harbour had not any cafe and shop; however, there are cafes and shops alongside with the road now.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully covers the main features of the two maps of Porth Harbour, identifying key changes such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boat areas, the addition of cafes and shops, and the conversion of the disused castle into a hotel. An overview is provided in the first paragraph, and relevant comparisons are made throughout the response. However, some details are slightly inaccurate or imprecise; for instance, stating that there was 'only one dock compared with two docks now' misinterprets the addition of an extra jetty and berthed boat at the single dock structure. Furthermore, the description could be extended further to fully develop all visual changes. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, earning a band score of 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a clear overall arrangement, starting with an introductory overview and following with body details comparing the two maps. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In 2000', and 'however'. However, paragraphing is somewhat weak, as the entire body of comparison is squeezed into a single long paragraph without clear thematic grouping, which impacts the logical flow. Additionally, referencing is occasionally imprecise (e.g., 'The beach can only be used...'). Despite these flaws, the information is coherent and easy to follow. This aligns with the descriptor for band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'illustrate', 'significant changes', 'converted', and 'exchanged their locations'. There are some awkward phrasings and word choice errors, such as 'map today' instead of 'present day' or 'current layout', and 'rise to two' instead of 'increased to two'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lexical range lacks the more sophisticated, precise vocabulary required for higher bands. Communication is not impeded by lexical errors. Therefore, a band score of 6.0 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like comparative clauses ('what a harbour looked like in 2000 compared with its map today') and subordinate clauses ('while the castle was converted into a hotel'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'had not any cafe and shop' instead of 'did not have any cafes or shops', and tense inconsistencies or clunky phrasing like 'showers and toilets rise to two'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and errors rarely impede overall communication. This performance fits the band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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