Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The first map depicts the centre if islip which is a small town and the second one is the development plan for islip.

Overall, the town has some prominent features including a school, a park and major part of it is being used for housing. The plan for future developments of town includes the systematic order for each part and the addition of some useful facilities along with the introduction of new housing society.

As for the map of town, there is a park at east end of town and a school in the west direction. In the middle of town, two areas are reserved for residenc. A prominent part of this town is a main road in the north direction sorrounded by shops at both of its sides and a countryside area in the north farway from shops.

The development plan has a significant characteristic of well ordered relocation for each place. The whole town will be sorrounded by a dual carriageway and school will be outside of it along with a distant housing society towards east. I the north end, it is planned that three facilities, a bus station which is a new addition, a shopping centre and a car park being also a new facility will be side by side and before these will be a pedestrian pathway and a new housing area adjacent

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the maps, such as the school, housing, and the new facilities. However, the response lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the changes effectively. While you mention some developments, the description of the 'before' and 'after' states is somewhat disjointed. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the current layout with the proposed changes in a more structured manner. Some details, such as the exact location of the new housing or the specific nature of the 'well ordered relocation,' are slightly vague, which limits the clarity of your report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the transition between the description of the current town and the development plan could be smoother. Some sentences feel disconnected, and the referencing (e.g., 'each place') is not always precise. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear focus would help the flow of your writing significantly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the maps, using terms like 'prominent features,' 'dual carriageway,' and 'adjacent.' However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'residenc' and 'sorrounded,' and some word choices are slightly unnatural, such as 'housing society' or 'systematic order.' To reach a higher band, focus on accurate spelling and using more precise collocations related to urban planning, such as 'residential zones' or 'infrastructure improvements.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('in the north end'), subject-verb agreement issues, and punctuation slips. For instance, 'I the north end' is a clear typo, and 'car park being also a new facility' is grammatically awkward. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for basic errors and ensuring your complex sentences are constructed accurately.

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

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