Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The two maps illustrate the centre of a small town called Islip as it is in the present and plans for its development in the future.
Overall, the town centre is planned to undergo significant redevelopment, with several existing facilities being relocated or replaced. In addition, new facilities will be introduced, while the road system will be expanded to improve accessibility and connectivity.
Looking at the first layout of the town centre, the centre is located in a countryside, with shops and a main road positioned in the northern area, while housing, a park, and a school are located in the southern area.
Regarding the second layout of the centre, new housing, a shopping centre, a bus station, and a car park will be established the northern part, while the school will remain unchanged. In the centre, a pedestrian walkway will be introduced. Furthermore, in the southern part, new housing will be added, whereas the park will be reduced into a smaller park. Moreover, a road system is expected to be constructed to improve connectivity and accessibility.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively addresses the task by identifying the main features of the current and future maps. You have successfully highlighted the key changes, such as the relocation of facilities and the introduction of the new road system and pedestrian walkway. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the proposed redevelopment. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully developed; for instance, you could explicitly mention the removal of the original shops to make way for the new shopping centre, which would provide a more comprehensive comparison between the two layouts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the 'before' and 'after' states. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Looking at', and 'Furthermore' helps guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the distinct stages of the town's development. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve, ensure that the transition between the description of the current state and the future plans is even more seamless to enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the maps, including terms like 'redevelopment', 'accessibility', 'connectivity', and 'pedestrian walkway'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations or less common lexical items related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure', 'demolished', or 'integrated', to demonstrate a more sophisticated control of language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used passive voice effectively to describe the planned changes, such as 'will be established' and 'is expected to be constructed'. The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips. The punctuation is handled well, and the sentence construction is clear. To move toward a higher band, aim to vary your sentence structure further by incorporating more complex subordinate clauses or conditional structures, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already achieved.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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