Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-20

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 illustrations outline how a harbour looked in 2000 and what it looks like today. The notable changes are are to be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Overall, it can be witnessed that the dimensions of the harbour stayed same throughout without any major additions. Some routes had been altered and only one of the regions had a significant extension.

To point out the changes we can see that an extra showers and toilets zone was created beside the second cark park, an additional route was joint from the main road situated at the western side, which initially stretched from the road in the south. Further modifications can also be noticed as the 'Marina(private yachts)' area was swapped with the fishing boats. Moreover, the docks were extended from one to two docks. Moreover, new cafes and shops were also opened beside the lifeboat area. Also, a significant change can be seen as the abandoned castle was transformed into a hotel with an extension of road joining the hotel. Also, the initial public beach was also modified to a private beach reserved for the hotel.

While significant changes can be witnessed, some stayed unchanged. For instance the public beach in northwest stayed in its original position. On the other hand, the initial showers and toilets and cark park also has to existed along with the lifeboat which stayed in its prior position.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You identify the main overall pattern: the harbour’s layout remains broadly similar while facilities and land use change, and you report several key developments, including the marina and fishing-boat areas swapping places, cafés and shops being added, and the castle becoming a hotel. You also note that the northern public beach and lifeboat remain. This gives a clear account of the main changes. However, some details are inaccurate or imprecise: the dock gains an additional jetty and has two boats, rather than being extended from one dock to two; the new road is not clearly described as an added route; and the beach that becomes private is south of the road, not the initial northern public beach. A more precise overview and clearer location descriptions would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a paragraph describing changes, and a final paragraph noting features that remain. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison, and linking phrases such as “Moreover” and “For instance” show an effort to connect points. However, the progression within the body is sometimes list-like, with repeated “Also” and “Moreover” rather than grouping changes by area or type. The final paragraph’s contrast marker “On the other hand” does not express a clear contrast, and “some stayed unchanged” is followed by details that are not fully clear. Grouping the northern harbour changes together and then describing the southern area would make the organisation more logical and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “swapped,” “transformed,” “position,” and “reserved,” which helps convey changes in land use. There is also an attempt to vary wording through phrases such as “notable changes” and “significant change.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “dimensions … stayed same,” “an extra … zone was created,” “the docks were extended from one to two docks,” and “an additional route was joint.” “Cark park” is also misspelled, and “regions” is too vague for specific harbour features. Use precise labels such as “facilities,” “jetty,” “harbour basin,” and “southern beach,” and choose natural change verbs such as “relocated,” “added,” or “converted.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including an overview sentence and longer sentences with clauses introduced by “as” and “which.” However, errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction are noticeable and sometimes make relationships unclear. Examples include “the dimensions … stayed same” (missing article), “an extra showers and toilets zone was created” (number agreement), and “the initial showers and toilets and cark park also has to existed” (incorrect verb form and agreement). The opening “The notable changes are are to be discussed” also contains a repeated verb and an awkward passive construction. Aim for shorter, controlled sentences first, checking subject–verb agreement and verb forms; then use complex clauses where the relationship between features is clear.

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