Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

The given maps illustrates the changes in the center of a small town called Islip as it is now and after the development.

Overall, it can be seen that most of the alterations will be on the countryside, northern shops and housing area, while the school and park will remain, their surrounding will change.

At present, the road runs from east to west through the centre, with shops on both sides. Housing occupies the southern part, while a school is located in the south-west and a park in the south-east. The surrounding area is mainly countryside.

Under the proposed plan, the main road will be replaced by a dual carriageway. The central areas will include a bus station, shopping centre and car park, while the shopping street will become pedestrain-only. New housing will be constructed in the north-east and centre. The park will remain, and the school will stay in the south-west.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the maps and provides a clear comparison between the current state and the proposed development. You have highlighted key changes such as the road system, the introduction of a bus station, and the pedestrianisation of the shopping street. The overview is clear and effectively summarises the most significant transformations. To reach a higher band, ensure that all details are fully accurate; for example, you mentioned new housing in the 'centre', whereas the map shows it primarily in the north-east and north-west. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the relevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the 'present' and 'proposed' states. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'At present' and 'Under the proposed plan' to signal shifts in time and topic. To improve, try to incorporate a wider range of cohesive devices to link sentences more fluidly, as some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct timeframes, which helps the reader navigate the information efficiently.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'dual carriageway', 'pedestrian-only', and 'constructed'. These terms are appropriate for the task. There is a minor spelling error ('pedestrain-only') and a minor grammatical slip in the opening sentence ('maps illustrates'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more precise collocations or varied synonyms for 'change' (e.g., 'transformed', 'redeveloped', 'converted') would demonstrate a more flexible and sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and error-free, though there are a few slips, such as the subject-verb agreement error in the first sentence ('maps illustrates') and the missing article in 'their surrounding will change'. You have used complex structures effectively, such as 'while the shopping street will become...', which shows a good level of control. To improve, ensure consistent attention to subject-verb agreement and pluralisation to reduce the frequency of minor errors.

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

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