Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-10

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 map illustrate the centre of a little colony called islip as it is now, and plans for its construction.

The islip colony have shops, main road, housing, parking. while in planned development we have bus station, shopping mall,new housing dual carriageway and other things.

In islip town centre there is a countryside which contain two shops and between shops there is a road in North side. In East side there is a parking. And a school in the West side. And between these there is a housing.

While in planned development there are many things to construct, there is a shopping centre , a bus station, car parking in North side which is only for Pedestrians.Around all these things there is a road. And also there is a school in the South side. And also a housing in the East side. These are the new things created which is planned.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarize the main features of the maps, but it lacks a clear overview of the significant changes. The description is fragmented and relies on listing features rather than synthesizing the information. For example, the report mentions specific locations like 'North side' or 'West side' but fails to provide a cohesive comparison of the town's transformation. The information is often repetitive, and the lack of a clear summary of the overall development trend limits the score. To improve, you should group features logically and highlight the most notable changes, such as the expansion of infrastructure and the pedestrianization of the town center.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'And also' to start sentences. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial relationships between the features on the map. The transition between the current state and the planned development is abrupt. Improving the use of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') and ensuring each paragraph has a clear focus would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. You frequently use simple terms like 'things' and 'little colony' (which is inappropriate for a town map). There is a lack of precise terminology related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure', 'pedestrianized zone', or 'residential area'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary related to maps and development, and try to avoid using generic words like 'things' or 'new things'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Subject-verb agreement is often incorrect, such as 'The map illustrate' instead of 'The map illustrates' and 'The islip colony have' instead of 'The Islip colony has'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and periods. The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. The errors are frequent and occasionally make the meaning slightly difficult to follow. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and consistent punctuation will help improve your accuracy.

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