Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30

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 5.0)

The two maps illustrate the changes that took place in porth harbour between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, there are many facilities in a porth harbour , public beach, car park, life boat and fishing boats. When it renovated it become more beautiful then before, because several changes were made to the harbour. Several facilities were provided for the local people.

In 2000, there were many things missing on porth harbour. Therefore it changed in another harbour. Showers and toilets were on the west side of the harbour, while fishing boats and car park were on the south side.

There are several changes in today porth harbour, cafes and shops adjusted with left side of the lifeboat on the main road. while, in 2000, the marina private yachts were in the middle with showers and toilets, today it place changed and it comes down with the car park. In 2000, another thing is that it had one showers and toilets and today it made in two stages. However, all things are stood on this place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the changes shown in the two maps of Porth Harbour, but it falls short of fully addressing the requirements of Academic Task 1. While some features are mentioned—such as the showers and toilets, fishing boats, and the marina—the overview is weak and subjective (e.g., claiming it became "more beautiful"). Furthermore, the reporting of key spatial changes is confused and inaccurate. For instance, the student states that the marina "comes down with the car park," misinterpreting the significant structural relocations between 2000 and the present day. Important developments like the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and the addition of a private beach are entirely omitted. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a band score of 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression and overall coherence are heavily compromised. Sentences frequently feel disjointed, and the relationships between ideas are not always clear. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as the frequent, repetitive framing of comparisons using "In 2000" and "today" without creating a smooth narrative flow. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks clear structural logic; for example, the final paragraph mixes observations about cafes, the marina, and restroom facilities in a confusing manner. Referencing is also weak, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial comparisons. This level of organization aligns with a band 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms directly copied or slightly altered from the prompt (e.g., "harbour," "car park," "fishing boats," "showers and toilets"). There are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, such as saying cafes and shops "adjusted with left side of the lifeboat" instead of located or situated near the lifeboat station, and stating "it made in two stages" rather than increased or expanded. Attempts at less common lexical items are largely unsuccessful or awkward. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the general topic, frequent inaccuracies limit the lexical score to a 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying primarily on simple sentences with frequent errors in complex constructions. Punctuation and capitalization are problematic throughout the text (e.g., lower-case letters at the start of sentences like "porth harbour," and comma splices or misplaced commas). There are persistent errors in verb tenses and forms, such as "When it renovated it become more beautiful then before" (passive voice and past tense errors) and "all things are stood on this place." Grammatical errors are frequent and occasionally cause strain or confusion for the reader, fitting the descriptors for a band 5.0.

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