Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-16
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 describes two conditions of the Isile town of the mall two in present age and the other the progress plans about this town.
Overall, the these maps show the a main road and some shops on its top side and some on its bottom in now town and in below give information about some developments in which Islip town covers a huge area and also make progress in many new items.
The first map show the a small town and a main road that passed in the mid of the town and contains many shops up and below the road and in the south we saw a school and two parts of the housing buildings and also a park in the east side of the town.
The second map illustrates a largest road that is rounded around the mall town and the centre contains a bus station in the west side and also a shopping area and car parking. And also some new houses are built in the east corner and in the the south we saw two more housing apartments and some little shops in the center and a school in the south west direction.
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 addresses the task by describing the current town layout and the proposed developments. However, the overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the construction of the bypass road. While the main features are identified, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in spatial referencing. For example, describing the road as 'passed in the mid of the town' is vague. To improve, focus on highlighting the most striking transformations, such as the shift from a through-road to a bypass and the expansion of residential and commercial facilities, rather than listing every detail in a mechanical fashion.
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 limited and often repetitive. Phrases like 'in the south we saw' and 'and also' are used frequently, which makes the flow feel mechanical. There is a lack of variety in linking words, and some sentences are loosely connected. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') and ensure that the progression of ideas between sentences is smoother and less reliant on simple conjunctions.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher score. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'two conditions of the Isile town of the mall two' and 'new items', which do not accurately describe urban development. The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptors like 'big', 'small', and 'new'. To improve, incorporate more specific terminology related to urban planning, such as 'bypass', 'residential zones', 'infrastructure', 'expansion', and 'pedestrianised'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are persistent issues with article usage ('the a main road', 'the the south'), subject-verb agreement ('The maps describes'), and word order. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often marred by errors, such as 'in which Islip town covers a huge area and also make progress'. The punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure remains quite basic. Focusing on mastering basic sentence construction and reducing errors in articles and verb forms will 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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