Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-04
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 5.0)
the graph illustrate the centre of a small town calledd ıslip asit now and plans for its development.
looking at the first map shops were opposite the housing and park was east of the housing. school was south of the housing . The housing located in the centere of map and main road located between shops . Countryside was behind the shops.
looking at the second map , city is surrounded by Dual carriageway and bus station , shopping centre , car park , new housing was built .
There was one shop and pedestrians path . Park remained same location but became smaller . School remained same location . school and housing location away from th Dual carriageway . main roads was removed and bus station , shoppng centre , car park were positioned next to each other and they were opposite the shops and pedestrians path was between them
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the maps, including the current layout and the proposed developments. However, the overview is missing; a summary should highlight the most significant changes, such as the transition from a small town to a more developed area with a bypass and new facilities. The description of the changes is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, cohesive summary of the overall transformation. While the key features are identified, the comparison between the two maps could be more analytical rather than just listing locations. To improve, ensure you provide a clear overview paragraph after the introduction that synthesizes the main trends observed in the development plans.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three short paragraphs, which is a logical approach. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'looking at the first map' and 'looking at the second map' are used as the primary means of transition, which makes the flow feel mechanical. There is a lack of linking words to connect ideas within sentences or between them, such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', or 'subsequently'. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of transition signals to guide the reader through the comparison of the two maps.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. There are several spelling errors, such as 'graph' instead of 'maps', 'centere', 'shoppng', and 'calldd'. The range of vocabulary is limited to simple directional language (e.g., 'opposite', 'east of', 'between'). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise descriptive language related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure', 'residential area', 'bypass', 'redeveloped', or 'transformed'. The current vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles (e.g., 'park was east of the housing', 'between shops') and subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'main roads was removed'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and incorrect capitalization. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the frequency of basic errors in grammar and punctuation limit the score. To improve, focus on using a mix of simple and complex sentences and pay closer attention to article usage and consistent verb tense when describing future plans.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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