Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-27

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 5.0)

The picture illustrates the comparison between port harbour in 2000 and today. There is alot of improvement since 2000 as many new hotels, cafe and shops got openend. Even number of ferries got increased.

In the south east of the harbour there is a castle which was disused in 2000. Its was a abondoned castle with no activity. While in present, the castle has been changed into a hotel. There used to be a public beach at left of castle and now been converted to a private beach. In the west, there is car parking and shower area.

The number of shower and tiolets got twice since 2000. In the south, along with the road there used to be a lifeboat only. But now cafe and shops have been opened for visitors convinence. There are car parking in the west along with the showers. While right to them are marine private yachts and fishing boats. There was not much change in them since 2000.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several relevant changes, including the disused castle becoming a hotel, the beach becoming private, and cafés and shops being added near the lifeboat station. However, the response only partially covers the plans and lacks a clear overview of the main changes. The claim that the number of ferries increased is not supported by the map, which shows passenger ferries in both periods; the dock changes instead involve an additional jetty and two berthed boats. You also say the marina and fishing boats changed little, although they switched locations, and the showers and toilets were added in a second area rather than simply doubling. A more complete account should highlight these major relocations and distinguish them from features that remained unchanged.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has some organisation: it begins with a general comparison and then discusses the south-eastern area and facilities near the road. Basic linking words such as “While,” “But now,” and “since 2000” help show contrast and time. However, the progression is not consistently clear, and the final paragraph moves between showers, parking, the marina and fishing boats without a clear spatial or chronological structure. Some references are also difficult to follow, as in “right to them,” where the reader must infer which facilities “them” refers to. Organise the report into a brief overview followed by paragraphs grouped by location or type of change, and use precise references to connect each feature.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “harbour,” “castle,” “private beach,” “lifeboat,” and “marina,” so the reader can identify the places being discussed. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward, such as “port harbour,” “car parking,” “got openend,” and “marine private yachts.” Spelling errors including “alot,” “abondoned,” “tiolets,” and “convinence” are noticeable and can distract from the information. Aim for accurate map vocabulary and natural collocations, for example, “car park,” “marina for private yachts,” and “facilities were added.” Check spelling carefully and avoid repeating general words such as “there” and “change” when more precise terms are available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some contrast and time structures, including “There used to be…” and “While in present…,” but the range is limited and errors occur frequently. Examples include “Its was a a abondoned castle,” where the pronoun, article and sentence construction are faulty, and “now been converted,” which is missing a subject and auxiliary verb. The sentence “The number of shower and tiolets got twice” also has problems with number agreement and verb construction. Several sentences rely on simple “there is/are” patterns, and punctuation does not always separate ideas clearly. Practise forming accurate past-to-present comparisons, such as “The castle was replaced by a hotel,” and check subject–verb agreement, articles and complete verb phrases.

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