Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-03

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)

The given pair of maps represents about the town centre in present and future construction. The variations took place in small town known as islip.

Overall, it is crystal clear that the school remained same in the given time period and new buildings will be constructed.

At the fleeting glance, it is evident that the shops that are located above the main road in current time will be reconstructed to bus station, shopping centre, car park and new residential area. The main road will be replaced by pedestrian area in future. The town centre is predicted to be covered by a dual carriageway.

Moving ahead, the shops that are located in south of main road will be replaced in centre of the town. The residential area will be enlarged and new housing will be established in the area. The park will remain at the same location and the school will also remain same without any difference.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, including the proposed developments and the areas that remain unchanged. You have successfully identified the key transformations, such as the pedestrianisation of the main road and the addition of new facilities. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the scale of change, and some descriptions are slightly vague, such as 'the shops that are located in south of main road will be replaced in centre of the town'. To reach a higher band, ensure that spatial relationships are described with greater precision and that the summary highlights the most significant overall trends more effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall' and 'Moving ahead' to transition between ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly repetitive. Additionally, some sentences feel disjointed, and the referencing could be improved to ensure smoother flow between the description of current features and future plans. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reconstructed', 'pedestrian area', and 'dual carriageway' appropriately. However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing, such as 'The given pair of maps represents about the town centre' and 'At the fleeting glance'. These errors do not impede communication, but they limit the score. To improve, focus on using more natural collocations and avoiding redundant phrasing. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise descriptors for urban planning would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the school remained same', 'in south of main road') and minor tense inconsistencies. While these errors are noticeable, they do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning. To achieve a higher band, focus on the consistent use of articles and prepositions, and try to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures with greater accuracy to demonstrate better control over your writing.

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