IELTS Writing Correction Service
Writing Samples
Band 6

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.

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The plans show the changes that have taken place in Porth
Harbour
Use synonyms
 between 2000 and today.
Overall
Linking Words
,
it is clear that
Linking Words
 the
harbour
Use synonyms
 has undergone significant development. Several new facilities have been added for visitors,
while
Linking Words
 some old features have been removed or replaced. In 2000, the
harbour
Use synonyms
 had two car parks, showers and toilets, a private yacht marina, a fishing boat area, a dock, passenger ferries, a lifeboat, a public
beach
Use synonyms
 and a disused castle. A road connected the main road to the castle and the
beach
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. Today, a number of changes can be seen. The disused castle has been replaced by a hotel, and a private
beach
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 has been created for hotel guests.
In addition
Linking Words
, cafés and shops have been built near the lifeboat, and the dock has been extended. Another block of showers and toilets has been added beside the lower car park.
Furthermore
Linking Words
, the fishing boat area has been moved to the northern side of the
harbour
Use synonyms
,
while
Linking Words
 the private yacht marina has been relocated to the south.
However
Linking Words
, the passenger ferries, lifeboat and public
beach
Use synonyms
 have remained unchanged.

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task response
Score: 8. This is a strong answer. To reach 9, make a few more direct comparisons between 2000 and today. For example, say that the boat areas changed sides: fishing boats moved north, while yachts moved south.
task response
The list of old features is clear, but it is a little long. You could group them by area or use this space to show more change between the two plans.
coherence and cohesion
Score: 8. The four-paragraph plan works very well. For an even higher score, group changes by place, such as the north side, south side, and centre, instead of mainly giving a list of changes.
coherence and cohesion
Use fewer linking words if they are not needed. Your links are correct, but clear sentence order can do the same job.
task response
You give a clear main view: the harbour has changed a lot, with new places for visitors and some old parts moved or taken away.
task response
You cover the main changes well, such as the hotel, private beach, new cafés and shops, longer dock, and moved boat areas.
task response
You also point out what did not change: the passenger ferries, lifeboat, and public beach.
coherence and cohesion
The answer has a clear order: opening, main view, the 2000 plan, and the plan today.
coherence and cohesion
Linking words such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'However' help the reader follow the changes.
Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • harbour (or harbor)
  • docks
  • shipping lanes
  • warehouses
  • recreational areas
  • infrastructure
  • additions
  • removals
  • facilities
  • environmental sustainability
  • economic impact
  • local community
  • capacity
  • technological advancements
  • industrial shipping
  • recreational use
  • surrounding infrastructure
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