Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-22
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 stipulate map illustrates the information regarding the future plans of the small town know as IsIip .
Looking from an overall perspective, it is vivid that, the center as changed drastically from its layout, by some significant developments.
After analysing the map, it is vived that, in nowadays, town usually looks small, and do not have much facilities available now, it is clearly looks that in the center of the town, slightly there is some shops and behind it housing facilities are situated near the main road. Moreover in the east side, there are a small park is situated In it. Although a school is constructed in weat-south of the center.
Moving towards the remaining details, by the future plan of authorities, slightly the town changed drastically. Although there are some facilities that are remaining same like shops, park, school. Further more, in North center of town authorities planned to construct new car parking, or shopping centre, moreover in the east, new housing facilities are bulit. At last , a huge bus station is constructed in the North West of the town in future
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main features of the maps, such as the new housing, the bus station, and the shopping center. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in comparing the 'now' and 'future' states. For instance, the phrase 'slightly the town changed drastically' is contradictory and confusing. While the key changes are mentioned, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the transformation effectively. The information is presented in a somewhat disjointed manner, and some details, such as the location of the school, are described with limited clarity. To improve, focus on grouping features logically and using more precise comparative language.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often mechanical and sometimes confusing. Transitions like 'Moving towards the remaining details' and 'At last' are used, but they do not always lead to a logical progression of ideas. The referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, 'in nowadays, town usually looks small' is awkward and disrupts the reader's understanding. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, which hinders the overall coherence of the report. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. Words like 'facilities' and 'constructed' are used frequently, and there are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'stipulate map' (likely intended 'provided map') and 'vived' (likely 'vivid'). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the information with the precision required for an Academic Task 1 response. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more varied descriptive language related to urban planning, such as 'residential area,' 'pedestrianized,' 'expanded,' or 'relocated,' and ensure that spelling and word forms are accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('there are a small park is situated'), article usage ('in the center of the town, slightly there is some shops'), and sentence structure ('it is clearly looks that'). The range of structures is limited, relying mostly on simple sentences with some attempts at complex ones that are often faulty. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like pluralization and verb tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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