Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The layout presents the central area of a little town called Islip in the present day and plans for its improvement.

Overall, in the current layout there is no dual carriageway with no easy access to countryside space which is behind the shops. However, the future layout has many additions such as car parking lot, bus station, new housing and a dual carriageway.

The proposed new plan has a dual carriageway covering the central area which can be accessed easily thus removing the countryside space in the north. The new plan shows that the shops behind the main road is extended to provide extra amenities such as bus station in the northwest, shopping centre almost occupies the central area while, car park and new housing are towards the northeast. The main road will be accessed by pedestrians only.

Also, there will be a new housing area in the southeast section of the centre. The school and the housing at southeast corner of the town centre will still remain the same.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the maps, including the addition of the dual carriageway, housing, and the bus station. You successfully identify the key changes, such as the pedestrianisation of the main road and the removal of the countryside area. However, the description of the spatial layout is occasionally imprecise; for instance, stating the shopping centre 'almost occupies the central area' is a bit vague compared to the visual evidence. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are clearly linked to specific locations on the map, and provide a more structured overview that highlights the most significant transformation, such as the shift from a residential/rural focus to a commercial/transport-oriented hub.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into clear paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the changes. The use of cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Also', and 'The new plan shows that' helps guide the reader through the information. While the progression is generally logical, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. For example, the start of the final paragraph with 'Also' is a bit simplistic. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the southeast section') is consistently precise will enhance the flow of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'dual carriageway', 'amenities', and 'pedestrianised'. There are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'car parking lot' (usually just 'car park') and 'countryside space' (which sounds slightly unnatural; 'green space' or 'undeveloped land' would be better). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding your repertoire to include more precise descriptive verbs and nouns related to urban planning would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the shops behind the main road is extended' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'bus station in the northwest' (missing article). Additionally, the phrase 'shopping centre almost occupies the central area while, car park and new housing are towards the northeast' contains a punctuation error with the comma. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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