Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-23

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 5.0)

The maps gives us visuals information about how the centre of the town called Islip is and the planned development.

Overall, one of the major planned development is to relocate main road which was across the shops into dual carriageway which will be around the circle of town covering shops,hoses, bus station, park. The road that connected school in the southwest part of the town,will turn into a dual carriageway which will now connect the whole centre of the town and every facilities will have access to a road.

In the southwest part where school and housing are located will remain the same but with the planned development they will have a direct access to the road. Also

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully address the task. While you have identified some key features, such as the new dual carriageway and the relocation of the road, the description is incomplete. You have not mentioned the pedestrianisation of the town centre, the addition of new housing, or the removal of the bus station. Because the response is underdeveloped and stops abruptly, it does not provide a comprehensive summary of the changes. To improve, ensure you cover all major features shown on the maps and provide a clear overview that highlights the most significant transformations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks a clear logical progression. While there is an attempt at paragraphing, the text ends mid-sentence ('Also'), which disrupts the flow and coherence of the writing. The use of cohesive devices is limited; for example, you use 'Overall' to start the second paragraph, but the transition between the introduction and the body is weak. The lack of a concluding summary or a fully developed body paragraph makes the structure feel fragmented. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear focus and use linking words like 'furthermore', 'in contrast', or 'consequently' to connect your ideas more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and basic. You rely on general terms like 'visuals information' (which is grammatically incorrect) and 'planned development'. There is a lack of precise vocabulary to describe map changes, such as 'pedestrianised', 'demolished', 'constructed', or 'converted'. Spelling errors, such as 'hoses' instead of 'houses', also detract from the quality of the writing. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more specific terminology related to urban planning and map descriptions, and ensure you proofread for basic spelling and word-choice errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'The maps gives us visuals information' contains subject-verb agreement and word-form errors. You use some complex structures, such as relative clauses ('which was across the shops'), but these are often punctuated incorrectly or lack necessary articles. The sentence structure is sometimes awkward, making it difficult to follow the intended meaning. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles before attempting more complex grammatical structures.

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

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