Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-11
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 map currently shows the layout of Islip town centre and the proposed redevelopment in future.
Overall the town centre is planned to undergo redevelopment. The major upgradation the town will be receiving is the dual carriageway that will be easily connected to each part of the town. The are planning to remove the North side shops and build a shopping centre and also parking as a facility for the mall, they will also include new housing schemes on the north-east and the south-east part.
They are also introducing a footpath for the people who will use it to go to shopping centre, carpark or the bus station. They are provided only on the North side of the path. Also there will a development of a park which will be nearby to the new housing schemes on the south-east part of the town.
In conclusion the new redevelopment will reduce the traffic problem , connectivity issues of people to the road , introduction of new housing schemes, park and a shopping centre for the development of the town.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the dual carriageway, the new shopping centre, and the housing developments. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For instance, the description of the footpath is unclear, and the comparison between the current and proposed states could be more precise. While the overview identifies the main trend of redevelopment, it lacks a clear focus on the most significant changes. The response addresses the task requirements, but the reporting of information is occasionally imprecise, such as the vague reference to 'each part of the town' instead of describing the specific layout changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'They are also' and 'Also there will be' are used to link ideas, which makes the flow feel a bit disjointed. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'They are provided only on the North side of the path,' where the antecedent for 'They' is ambiguous. Improved use of transition signals and better paragraph internal structure would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are some awkward word choices, such as 'upgradation' (which is not standard English) and 'the are planning' (a grammatical error affecting lexical clarity). The student relies on basic descriptive terms like 'new' and 'big' (implied) rather than more sophisticated vocabulary related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure,' 'residential zones,' or 'pedestrianised.' While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, preventing a higher score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'The are planning' (subject-verb agreement/omission), 'there will a development' (missing verb), and 'connectivity issues of people to the road' (awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable and suggest a lack of control over more complex grammatical forms.
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