Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-17

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)

INTRODUCTION

The diagrams show porth harbour looks changes from 2000 to today. it describe how changes take place in the Porth Harbour feathures.

OVERVIEW

The plans represent how Porth Harbour and its feathures look in the time period 2000 and then changes take place in many of feathure is replaced by some of other parts.

BODY I

in the east side no changes occurs however most of the changes appear in the west region where showers & toilets and car park are in the same sides but fishing boats and marina(private yachts) compartments sides are exchange. in the 2000 model of Porth Harbour marina is on the north side While fishing boats is on the south region. Althought in today model fishing boats is on the north and marina is on the south region.

BODY II

In the northe side of the Porth Harbour no changes appear in both plans However major feathures changes occure in south region.Where cafes and shops are introduce and public beach is replaced by private beach in today Porth Harbour map.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main exchange between the marina and fishing-boat areas, and you note the addition of cafés and shops and the change from a public to a private beach. These are relevant comparisons. However, the overview is vague: saying that “many” features are replaced does not clearly summarise the harbour’s main transformation. Some details are inaccurate or unclear. The east side did not remain unchanged, since the disused castle became a hotel and the beach beside it became private. The northern entrance also gained an additional jetty and a second berthed boat. Develop the overview around the major changes, then describe these specific additions and replacements accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, overview and two body sections, and the marina/fishing-boat comparison is grouped logically. However, progression is weakened by repeated, broad statements such as “no changes appear” and “major features changes occur,” which do not guide the reader through the map clearly. The division into east, west and north/south is also confusing: the east is described as unchanged, while important changes at the south-eastern headland are omitted. Some linking words, including “however” and “although,” are used without clear punctuation or a precise contrast. Organise the body by location or by types of change, and use explicit references to the 2000 and present-day plans.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant terms, including “marina,” “fishing boats,” “public beach” and “private beach,” so the reader can follow the central comparison. However, the range is limited and several repeated or inaccurate expressions make the description imprecise. “Feathures” is repeatedly misspelled, and phrases such as “compartments sides are exchange” and “changes take place in many of feature” are not natural collocations. “Model” is also an unsuitable choice for a map or plan. Use precise verbs for map changes—such as relocated, added, replaced and retained—and check spelling and word forms. This would make the account clearer without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer sentences, for example the sentence beginning “in the east side no changes occurs,” but these are often difficult to follow because of errors in agreement, tense and sentence construction. Examples include “no changes occurs,” “fishing boats is,” and “changes take place,” where the verb forms do not match the subject or intended time reference. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, particularly after “However” and at the start of sentences. Most clauses rely on simple patterns, and attempts to connect several ideas often produce faulty sentences. Practise writing clear comparisons with accurate past and present forms, such as “In 2000, the marina was in the northern basin, whereas today it is in the southern basin.”

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