Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The two images depict the transformational changes that took place from 2000 to present day at Porth Harbour.

Overall, most places have remained intact over the twenty six year period. However, the present day the biggest change can be seen at the southern side of the harbour. Most notably, a hotel has been built where, once used to be a castle.

Over the western side, a new space has been dedicated to build a new shower and toilet facility, increasing the number from 1 in 2000 to 2 in the present day. Another significant change is the exhange of location of marina and fishing boats storage. In the south eastern side, the beach that was public in the year 2000, is now private in the present day.

In the center of the harbour, there's a new addition of cafes and shops. Other than that, most places have fairly remained at the same location.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all main parts of the task by identifying key changes and making relevant comparisons between the two time periods, such as the construction of the hotel and cafés, and the swapping of the marina and fishing boats. An overview is provided in the opening paragraphs, noting overall stability alongside major modifications. However, certain aspects are slightly under-developed; for instance, the exact nature of the relocation of the marina and fishing boats lacks full descriptive extension. To reach a higher level, the response would need to integrate the data more seamlessly with a fully realized, comprehensive overview of all structural shifts.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The report presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the general introductory overview to specific spatial features and changes. Paragraphing is utilized adequately to separate distinct geographical zones and features, such as the southern side and the western side. While cohesive devices are present, referencing is occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, as seen in phrases like 'Over the western side' instead of 'On the western side'. Progression is clear throughout, but the employment of transitional phrases could be more flexible and varied to achieve a smoother flow between ideas and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying spatial changes and specific location names. The student attempts some less common lexical items, such as 'transformational changes' and 'significant change', though minor errors in word choice and collocation occasionally occur, such as 'exhange of location' instead of 'exchange of locations' or 'swap'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary choices do not impede communication. To improve, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of precise, less common vocabulary relating to urban planning and structural updates.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases. There are some errors in grammar, such as awkward phrasing in 'where, once used to be a castle' and minor prepositional inaccuracies like 'Over the western side'. However, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the descriptions easily. To achieve a higher band, the writer must demonstrate greater control over complex structures and eliminate persistent minor grammatical slips.

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

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