Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-25

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 picture below shows the difference in development of porth harbour in 2000 and today.the harbour goes major developments many aminities are added to the harbour.

In 200 there are only one dock to place the boat but now there are two docks.the number of passenger ferries got increased.there is one public beach right side to the dock remains same in both maps.on the left of the dock there is marina private yancht on the top of fishing boats but now both are swapped.on the left side of the fishing boats there is showers and toilets and car parking.there is one additional showers and toilets are introduced in between the car parkings.previously there is only two entrances to the harbour but now there is three entrances.on the thord entrance of the harbour cafes and shops are newly added.the disused castle next to the life boat area is replaced by the hotel.the beach near to the hotel is converted into private beach it is for the people staying in the hotel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify several important changes, including the relocation of the marina and fishing boats, the addition of cafés and shops, and the replacement of the disused castle with a hotel and private beach. These details are generally relevant and show that you have understood the maps. However, the overview is vague: “the harbour goes major developments” does not clearly summarise the overall transformation. Some comparisons are also inaccurate or unclear. The maps show an additional jetty at the dock, not two docks, and the passenger-ferry area is indicated but an increase in the number of ferries is not established. The claim about “three entrances” is difficult to verify from the plans. A clearer overview and more precise reporting of the main spatial changes would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly sensible order, moving from the dock and beach to facilities, then to the hotel and private beach. This helps the reader follow the changes, and phrases such as “but now” and “previously” signal comparisons. However, the writing is presented as one paragraph, and many ideas are joined in a long sequence with full stops missing, as in “there are two docks.the number of passenger ferries got increased.” This makes the progression feel list-like rather than clearly organised. Some references, such as “on the thord entrance,” are hard to interpret. Use separate paragraphs for an overview and key details, and connect related changes with clearer, varied linking phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant map vocabulary, including “dock,” “marina,” “fishing boats,” “car park,” and “private beach,” so the reader can understand many of the features being compared. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “replaced” and “converted into.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “difference in development,” “goes major developments,” and “the number … got increased.” Spelling errors such as “yancht” and “thord,” along with inconsistent capitalisation of “Porth Harbour,” reduce precision. Aim for standard map-description phrases such as “underwent major changes,” “was relocated,” and “the number increased,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates its main points using mostly simple clauses, with some attempts to compare past and present through “there are” and “but now.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and punctuation are frequent enough to make parts difficult to read. For example, “In 200 there are only one dock” has an incorrect year, verb agreement, and tense; “previously there is only two entrances” also needs past tense and plural agreement. Several sentences run together without spaces after full stops, while “the beach near to the hotel is converted” uses an unsuitable tense for a completed change. Practise accurate past-versus-present forms and build clear sentences with appropriate punctuation.

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