Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-13

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 6.0)

The maps compare the Porth Harbour layout in 2000 with the todays layout. The area underwent significant changes, with more noticeable changes in south side of the harbour. In general the Porth Harbour became more modernised, with increased facilities.

In 2000, there was a marina for private yachts situated in the north side. Whereas, fishing boats were located in the south side. In contrast, today marina was replaced with fishing boats. The castle was present in 2000 which was not in use. Renewed for staying purpose for visitors with hotel at the present. Previously in harbour, showers and toilets were on only one location near to the north side car park. Furthermore, one more showers and toilets space were added near to the south side car park. At the present, cafes and shpos were added near to the lifeboat counter. The car parkings were remained in same locations. In 2000, there was only one dock for passenger ferries. However, one more dock was added for the passenger ferries to improve the trasnportation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You identify the main transformation clearly: the marina and fishing-boat areas switch locations, the disused castle becomes a hotel, and new visitor facilities are introduced. The opening overview also captures the general modernisation, and most reported changes match the plans. To make the account more complete and precise, include other prominent changes, especially the additional jetty and second berthed boat at the northern dock, and clarify that the southern beach becomes private while the north-eastern public beach remains. The statement that there was “only one dock for passenger ferries” and that another dock was added is not accurate: the plan shows an additional jetty at the existing dock. Overall, the key features are addressed, though some details are generalised or misreported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable progression: an introduction and overview are followed by comparisons of facilities and harbour features. Linking expressions such as “In contrast,” “Furthermore,” and “However” help signal relationships between changes. However, the paragraph is presented as one block, and the sequence moves between the marina, castle, facilities, car parks and dock without a consistently clear organising principle. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “In contrast, today marina was replaced with fishing boats,” which makes the relocation difficult to follow. Grouping the changes into a paragraph about water and transport features and another about land-based facilities would make the progression easier to track. Overall, the arrangement is coherent, but cohesion and referencing are not always smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant map vocabulary, including “marina,” “fishing boats,” “car park,” “lifeboat,” and “passenger ferries,” and terms such as “modernised” and “facilities” help summarise the development. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “the todays layout,” “Renewed for staying purpose,” “lifeboat counter,” and “car parkings” do not express the intended meanings naturally. There are also spelling errors in “shpos” and “trasnportation.” Aim for precise phrases such as “converted into a hotel,” “near the lifeboat station,” and “car parks.” The vocabulary is sufficient to describe the main changes, but these noticeable errors limit precision and fluency.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt some sentence variety, including contrast clauses and longer sentences, and the main message is generally understandable. However, errors in articles, tense and sentence construction recur. For example, “with the todays layout” needs a possessive form such as “today’s layout,” while “Whereas, fishing boats were located…” is an incomplete contrast clause when used as a standalone sentence. “Today marina was replaced with fishing boats” also needs an article and a clearer description of the areas changing places. In “The car parkings were remained,” the passive construction is incorrect; use “The car parks remained.” Practise forming complete comparison sentences and checking articles and verb forms. These issues sometimes make relationships between features less clear.

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