Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-10

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 Diagram illustrates the the progression of port harbour from 2000 till today

Since there was only 1 dock station in 2000, it is now doubled allowing more boats and ships to dock and the private yachts section has been converted to the fishing boats area. An addition shower and toiled area has been added next to the second car parking which is now connected to the main road. The older fishing boats are is now the marina (private yachts). Moreover, cafes and shops has been constructed near the road which leads to the same lifeboad area.

Other than that, the unused castle has been converted to a hotel and a new road is built to connect it to the main road. Also, the public beach is now a privately owned beach controlled by the hotel management.

In conclusion, the port harbour has progressed much and now holds more capacity for people to perform many activities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify several important changes, including the conversion of the castle into a hotel, the change from a public to a private beach, and the exchange of the marina and fishing-boat areas. These details are relevant and mostly match the plans. However, the overview is vague: saying the harbour has “progressed much” and can hold more capacity does not clearly summarise its main transformations. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate. The dock gains an additional jetty and has two boats, rather than simply having its number of stations doubled; the new showers and toilets are not clearly described as being next to the second car park. To strengthen the response, give a precise overview and report the key changes in location and facilities more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: it introduces the maps, groups several northern harbour changes together, then describes the hotel and beach before concluding. This makes the main points reasonably easy to follow. However, the progression within the first body paragraph is somewhat abrupt, and phrases such as “Other than that” and “In conclusion” do not always create precise links between the changes. The reference in “which is now connected to the main road” is also unclear, since the reader may not know whether it refers to the car park or the showers and toilets. Organise the changes by area or by type, and use clearer references to make the relationships between features explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “converted,” “constructed,” “private yachts,” and “main road,” which helps communicate the broad changes. There is also an attempt to vary wording rather than repeat “changed.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, such as “dock station,” “holds more capacity,” and “the same lifeboat area.” Spelling and word-form slips, including “toiled” and “lifeboad,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms for map features and natural collocations; for example, describe the dock as having an additional jetty and say that the harbour now accommodates more activities, rather than claiming it “holds more capacity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a complex sentence beginning “Since there was only 1 dock station in 2000” and a contrast introduced by “Other than that.” The overall meaning is generally recoverable, but some errors in sentence construction and agreement make parts less clear. Examples include “the progression of port harbour,” “the private yachts section has been converted,” and “cafes and shops has been constructed,” where articles, number agreement, or phrasing need attention. The opening also contains the repeated article “the the.” Practise checking subject–verb agreement and article use, and make sure each sentence has a clear subject and an unambiguous reference. More consistently accurate complex sentences would improve control.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.