Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-26

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 4.0)

The figure illustrates that a port harbour have alternatives today than the past.

Overall, there are several changes like fishing boats and marina (private yachts) relocated to each others as well as the new thing is hotel is established where castle (disused) is located. Likewise, there is a maximize in number of the dock.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You identify two important changes: the marina and fishing-boat areas have exchanged locations, and a hotel has replaced the disused castle. However, the response is extremely brief and does not provide a developed summary of the plans; the dock change is mentioned vaguely, while other key features—such as the added facilities, cafés and shops, and the change to a private beach—are omitted. The phrase “maximize in number of the dock” also does not clearly describe the additional jetty and second berthed boat. The required minimum of 150 words is not met, which leaves the task substantially incomplete. To improve, write a clear overview and describe several specific changes, comparing the 2000 plan with today.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic overall shape: an opening statement is followed by an overview beginning with “Overall,” and the ideas are broadly related to changes in the harbour. “Likewise” also signals an additional point. However, with only two short paragraphs and very little detail, there is no clear progression through the main areas of the plans. The relationship between the changes is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly in “fishing boats and marina … relocated to each others.” Organise the report into an introduction, an overview, and one or two paragraphs grouping specific changes by location or feature. Use clear links such as “In the north” and “By contrast” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant task vocabulary, including “harbour,” “fishing boats,” “marina,” “dock,” and “castle,” and the reader can identify the main changes you intend to report. However, the range is narrow, and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “alternatives” does not mean changes, “new thing” is too informal and vague, and “maximize in number of the dock” does not accurately express the dock’s expansion. “Relocated to each others” is also an awkward phrase for describing the exchange of locations. Use precise map-reporting language such as “was converted into,” “was relocated,” “an additional jetty was added,” and “the two facilities exchanged locations.” This would make the limited information clearer and more appropriate to an academic summary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response includes a simple opening sentence and attempts a longer overview sentence with “as well as,” showing some effort to connect ideas. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. In “a port harbour have,” the singular subject requires “has,” and “than the past” needs a more suitable comparison structure, such as “compared with 2000.” The phrase “the new thing is hotel is established” has a missing article and an awkward, incomplete construction; “a hotel was built” would be clearer. “Fishing boats and marina … relocated” also lacks a clear subject–verb structure, while “each others” is not grammatically appropriate here. Practise accurate past-tense descriptions and complete comparison sentences, then check agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries.

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