Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

There are two maps given in the picture showing the center of a small town which is known as Islip

the first picture in the map show the current situation of the town center and in the next picture it show's how the center of the town transform after development

In the current picture there is only few shops present around the both sides of main road which can be transform after addition of various structure like bus station , shopping centerand car parking in the north side of town and convert main road into walking street only for children along with addition of new housing societies on the both side of pedistrians street and keeping a few shops at the same location in the south side of town

All these structure are surrounded by a dual carriageway in a cirlcle shape

And also keeping the old housing , school and park at the same place in new map as they are present in the current map

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the two maps as showing Islip before and after development, and you report several major planned changes, including the bus station, shopping centre, car park, pedestrian street and encircling dual carriageway. However, the comparison is only partial and some details are inaccurate or unclear. The plan retains the southern shops, but the new housing is not on both sides of the pedestrian street: it is shown in the northeast and south-central areas. The park is reduced and remains inside the loop, rather than simply staying in the same place and condition. The school and southern housing remain outside the loop. A clearer overview of the main transformation, followed by accurate descriptions of what changes and what remains, would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a broadly sensible order: it introduces the maps, describes the current arrangement, and then moves to the proposed development. This gives the reader a basic sense of the comparison. However, the information is presented in only a few long, loosely connected sentences, and the final points about the dual carriageway and retained features feel added on rather than integrated into a clear progression. Linking expressions such as “In contrast” or “Meanwhile” could help distinguish changes from features that remain. Use separate paragraphs for an overview and for the main details, and group locations systematically—for example, north of the pedestrian street, then south of it. This would make the relationships between features easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “main road,” “bus station,” “shopping center,” “car parking,” and “dual carriageway,” so the reader can identify many of the planned facilities. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or awkward, such as “walking street only for children” and “housing societies.” Spelling and word-form errors, including “pedistrians” and “cirlcle,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms that describe the map rather than adding unsupported details: “pedestrian-only street” is more suitable than saying it is for children. Vary verbs such as “remain,” “be replaced by,” and “be converted into” to describe the changes more clearly and avoid repeating “addition” and “keeping.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to combine ideas using clauses such as “which can be transform” and “along with addition,” but these structures are often faulty, and most of the response relies on long sentences joined without clear punctuation. For example, “There are two maps given … Islip” needs a full stop or other clear boundary before the next clause. There are also errors in agreement and verb forms: “there is only few shops” should use a plural construction, while “can be transform” requires a past participle. The phrase “the first picture in the map show” also has subject–verb agreement problems. Practise writing shorter, complete sentences first, then add accurate passive forms to describe planned changes, such as “The main road will be converted into a pedestrian street.”

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