Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-26
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 6.5)
The maps provide information about the centre of a small town called Islip at present and plans for its development.
Overall, it is evident that the town centre is relatively simple at present, whereas it will become more modern after development.
At present, the town centre is a countryside on the northern side of the town. In addition, it will be replaced to a dual carriageway after development. In the middle, there is housing, which will be replaced by some shops. On the northern side, there are some shops, which will be converted into a bus station, a shopping centre and a car park. Following this, the main road will be changed by pedestrians only.
Additionally, on the eastern side, the vacant area will be replaced by new housing after development. Interestingly, on the southern side, there is a school, a park, and some houses, which will be remained unchanged after development. However, there is an unfinished road which will be transformed into a dual carriageway. The empty area on the southern side will be replaced by new houses.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, including the key developments. However, there are some inaccuracies in the description of the town's layout. For example, the student describes the current town centre as 'countryside', which is not supported by the visual evidence. Additionally, some descriptions of the changes are slightly confusing, such as the claim that the main road will be 'changed by pedestrians only', which is grammatically awkward and unclear. While the overview is present, the report would benefit from more precise identification of the locations and a clearer distinction between the current state and the future plans to reach a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. The use of cohesive devices like 'In addition', 'Additionally', and 'However' is generally effective. However, the progression of ideas within the paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between describing the current state and the future plans could be smoother. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when the text mentions 'the northern side' multiple times with conflicting information about what is currently there versus what will be built. Improved logical flow would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the changes (e.g., 'converted', 'transformed', 'replaced'). However, there are some word choice errors and unnatural collocations, such as 'replaced to a dual carriageway' (should be 'replaced by') and 'will be remained unchanged' (passive voice error). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptive terms. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise terminology for urban planning and ensuring correct prepositional usage with verbs of change.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'will be remained unchanged' (incorrect passive construction) and 'replaced to a dual carriageway' (incorrect preposition). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'the main road will be changed by pedestrians only'. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The student should focus on mastering passive voice constructions and ensuring subject-verb agreement.
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