Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-02

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 7.0)

The maps compare the layout of a harbour in 2000 with it present day appearance.

Overall, the harbour has undergone considerable redevelopment, with several new facilities being introduced and some existing features being relocated or replaced.

In 2000, two docks were situated in the northern part of harbour, next to the public beach used by ferry passengers. To the south, there was a lifeboat station connected with main road. A castle stood in the south-east side, while the other public beach was located at the southern end. On the western side, two main car parks were positioned alongside the main road, with toilets and showers nearby. A marina for private yachts was situated above an area designated for fishing boats.

Today's, a third dock has been added alongside the existing one, as well as additional passenger ferry terminal. A cafe and shops have been established adjacent to the lifeboat station. The former castle has been demolished and replaced with a hotel, which is linked with a main road through a new access road. Moreover, the southern public beach has been converted into a private beach for hotel guests. Finally, the marina and fishing-boat area have switched positions, while additional shower and toilet facilities have been installed between the two car parks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the changes shown in the two maps of Porth Harbour. A clear overview is presented in the second paragraph, highlighting the main developments such as the introduction of new facilities and the relocation of existing ones. Key features are reported accurately, including the swapping of the marina and fishing boat areas, the addition of the hotel replacing the disused castle, and the new cafes and shops. The response extends and supports its ideas well by contrasting the 2000 layout with today's configuration, showing a solid grasp of the visual data. While the detail is well selected, a touch more precision in describing exact spatial relationships could elevate this further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped coherently, starting with an introductory overview, moving into a description of the past layout, and concluding with the current state. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal periods and aspects of the harbour. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, with phrases like 'In 2000', 'Today's', and 'Moreover' guiding the reader through the comparisons. However, referencing and transitions occasionally feel slightly mechanical, and minor mechanical errors in cohesion prevent the response from achieving a higher level of flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, such as 'considerable redevelopment', 'relocated', 'adjacent', and 'demolished'. There is a successful attempt to use less common items with some awareness of style and collocation suitable for an academic task. However, there are occasional lexical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'with it present day appearance' instead of 'its present-day appearance' and 'Today's' instead of 'Today' or 'Nowadays'. Despite these minor slips, the vocabulary remains adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a decent variety of structures like passive constructions ('have been established', 'has been converted') and subordinate clauses. There are frequent error-free sentences, showing good control over basic grammatical patterns. However, several minor errors persist, such as 'in northern part of harbour' missing articles, 'alongside the existing one, as well as additional passenger ferry terminal' lacking a determiner, and punctuation or preposition slips. These errors rarely impede communication and fit comfortably within a mixed level of accuracy.

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