Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20
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 6.0)
The map compares the changes that will occur in the middle of a tiny town called Islip before and after development.
Overall, it is proposed that a dual carriageway will be constructed around the central area. There is the addition of two housing schemes as well as a bus station, car park, and shopping centre side by side on one side of the pedestrian path.
As on the north side of town, there is a plan to convert the countryside area and shops into a new housing scheme as one of the northeastern conner, car park on the west of the new housing, and a shopping centre adjacent to the bus station on the northwestern side. The main road will be converted into a pedestrian path, as shops will be on the south-western side of the path.
On the south side of the middle of town, a new housing scheme will be added on the western side on the other side of the school. The park is situated in the southeastern corner, providing a green space adjacent to the new housing and school adjacent to the southwestern side adjacent to the curve of carriageway.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the maps, including the proposed dual carriageway, housing schemes, and the conversion of the main road into a pedestrian zone. The overview is clear and identifies the key changes. However, the description of locations is occasionally confusing, such as the phrase 'as one of the northeastern conner', which lacks clarity. While the main features are reported, the comparison between the current and future states could be more precise in terms of spatial relationships. Overall, the response addresses the requirements of the task well, providing a logical summary of the development plans.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the north and south sides of the town. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'As on the north side', and 'On the south side', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the repetition of 'adjacent to' makes the text feel repetitive and clunky. Despite these minor issues, the progression of ideas is generally clear and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'dual carriageway', 'pedestrian path', and 'conner' (though misspelled). There is an attempt to use descriptive language, but the range is somewhat limited. The repetition of 'adjacent to' in the final paragraph indicates a lack of lexical variety. Some word choices are slightly awkward, such as 'side by side on one side of the pedestrian path', which is redundant. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise spatial vocabulary and avoid repetitive phrasing.
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 'as one of the northeastern conner' (incorrect preposition/noun usage) and 'school adjacent to the southwestern side adjacent to the curve'. These errors, while frequent, do not significantly impede communication. Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure in the final paragraph is overly complex and lacks clarity due to the repetitive use of prepositional phrases. Improving the control of complex sentences and reducing minor errors would help raise the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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