Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-01

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 two plans show how Porth Harbour changed between 2000 and the present day.

Overall, the harbour has been developed considerably for tourism and visitors. The main changes are the construction of a hotel, cafés and shops, while some facilities have been moved or replaced. The castle has also been removed and the beach has become private.

In 2000, there were two car parks and a shower and toilet block on the western side of the harbour. There was also a marina for private yachts in the north-west, while fishing boats were located further south. The passenger ferries used the dock in the northern part of the harbour. In addition, there was a public beach near the castle in the south-east.

Today, the shower and toilet facilities and the two car parks are still present, although their positions have changed slightly. The fishing boats have been moved to the area where the marina used to be, and the private yachts are now located further south. Cafés and shops have also been added near the road. The castle has been replaced by a hotel, which has its own private beach. The passenger ferry and dock remain in the northern part of the harbour, while the public beach in this area is still available.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the main changes and making relevant comparisons between the two time periods. The overview effectively captures the primary transformation of the harbour into a more tourism-oriented space, noting key additions like the hotel and cafés, as well as the relocation of facilities. Major features such as the swapping of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of the hotel with its private beach, and the introduction of shops are all accurately reported. The supporting details are well-selected and grounded directly in the visual data. To reach a higher band, the response could integrate slightly more precise comparative statements across the specific spatial configurations, ensuring that every shift in layout is linked more dynamically.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The report demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The structure is well-managed, beginning with a clear introductory sentence, followed by an effective overview paragraph, a description of the past layout in 2000, and finally a comparison with the present day. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In 2000', 'In addition', and 'Today' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the temporal and spatial shifts. Paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. Referencing is handled effectively, ensuring the reader easily tracks how features have moved or been replaced. To achieve a higher band, the response could employ a wider variety of advanced cohesive links and referencing mechanisms to make the progression even more seamless and unobtrusive.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully employing less common items relevant to map descriptions, such as 'constructed', 'relocated', 'replaced', and 'facilities'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, with appropriate phrasing like 'private yachts', 'passenger ferries', and 'shower and toilet block'. Spelling and word formation are entirely correct throughout the piece. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows the communication of ideas clearly, it occasionally relies on standard descriptive terms. To push into higher bands, the writer could incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical chunks and synonyms (e.g., substituting 'moved' with 'translocated' or 're-sited') to demonstrate greater flair and stylistic control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures alongside simple forms, showing good control of grammar and punctuation. There is a frequent presence of error-free sentences, particularly in handling past and present tense contrasts required for describing map changes over time (e.g., 'have been developed', 'were located', 'have been moved', 'used to be'). Prepositions and articles are generally handled with accuracy, such as in 'on the western side of the harbour' and 'in the northern part'. A few minor errors persist, but grammar and punctuation never impede communication. To attain a higher band, the writer could integrate an even wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as participial phrases (e.g., 'having been relocated') to add syntactic variety.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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