Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17

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 given map illustrates the middle of a small town known as Islip as it is right now and what are the plans for its development.

Nowadays the town has some basic places like school, main road, some shops and housings and further a park also. In comparison to it the new development program is quite impressing. The main road is now changed into pedestrian pathway. On the north of earlier main road there is a bus station along with shopping centre, car park and new housing projects. However, to the south of the main road there are shops and housing and new housing projects. There is also a dual carriageway in the new plan. On the lower side of the carriageway to the south of it there is a school and housing. The park is at the same place as it was earlier with there is a reduction in the area which it occupies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the pedestrianization of the main road, the addition of a bus station, and the new housing projects. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the town's expansion and the shift in infrastructure. The description of the locations is sometimes imprecise, for instance, stating 'the park is at the same place' without noting the specific change in its size or surroundings clearly. To reach a higher band, you should provide a more analytical overview that highlights the overall transformation of the town rather than just listing features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into two paragraphs, which is a logical approach for a comparison task. However, the progression of ideas within the second paragraph is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'there is' or 'there are'. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the transition between the current state and the future plan could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'it', 'the former') is used more effectively would enhance the flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. Phrases like 'basic places' and 'quite impressing' are somewhat informal or imprecise. The response relies on simple descriptors and lacks the specific terminology often used in map descriptions, such as 'redeveloped', 'transformed', 'situated', or 'adjacent to'. While the meaning is clear throughout, the lexical range is limited, and there is a lack of flexibility in word choice. Incorporating more topic-specific vocabulary related to urban planning would significantly improve this score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'what are the plans' (should be 'what the plans are'), 'further a park also' (awkward phrasing), and 'with there is a reduction' (grammatically incorrect). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositional phrases. Increasing the variety of complex structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice to describe the changes, would also be beneficial.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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