Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-13
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 maps provide the information related to the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now as well as plans for its revo renovation.
Overall, there are many things are which is highlighted like shops, main road as well housing. In the map of planned development there are many changes like roads and new housings.
To begin with, now in Islip town there is a main road on north side. While there are many shops which also near the main road. On West side there is a single road which is going for the school only. On east side parks is also situated for childrens. On the bottom side housing is also seemed.
Furthermore, in the map of planned development there are many differences. On the north side there is road which will go around all the town centre of Islip. Meanwhile, shops will converted into shopping centre as well as bus station and car parks is will also includes. On the west side there is a new thing added which is dual carriage way.
On the bottom of the map new housing and pedes pedestorains oney will be also mentioned on planned development map. On the south side school and housing will remained same .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying key changes such as the new road layout, the shopping centre, and the dual carriageway. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview; the second paragraph is vague and does not effectively summarise the most significant trends. While the main features are identified, the description of the 'now' map is somewhat repetitive and lacks precise spatial referencing. To improve, ensure the overview highlights the most striking transformation (e.g., the shift from a simple town centre to a more complex, infrastructure-heavy layout) rather than just listing features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate (e.g., 'To begin with', 'Furthermore'). There are issues with referencing; for instance, the transition between the 'now' map and the 'planned' map is abrupt. The flow of information within paragraphs is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'On the bottom side housing is also seemed', which makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. More varied and natural linking words would improve the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'things', 'new', and 'road'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'pedestorains' and 'oney', and word choice inaccuracies, such as 'revo renovation' and 'housing is also seemed'. The range is insufficient to demonstrate precision; for example, describing the dual carriageway as a 'new thing' is too informal for an academic task. To reach a higher band, you should use more precise terminology related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure', 'expansion', 'pedestrianised', and 'residential area'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are persistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'parks is also situated', 'car parks is will also includes') and sentence structure (e.g., 'there are many things are which is highlighted'). The use of tenses is inconsistent, particularly when describing future plans. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, they are often faulty, leading to awkward phrasing. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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