Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-25

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 provided pictures illustrate the map of Islip town which is a not so big town and depicts the reformations that are planned for it.

Overall, quite evident changes have been made like the dual carriageway, new housing, pedestrian's pathway, car parking etc.

To go ahead with the current structure, it is visible that there is a main road that divides the place into two halves. The upper half contains a number of shops that are aligned side by side and countryside is there above that. In the lower half we can see shops again, bellow that we have a housing area and a park. The main road splits into two at the intersection with the shops and leads to a school, another housing area and a park.

The diagram for the upcoming developments includes a dual carriageway that goes to the north and south making a circular pathway. Inside it, in the center, there is a pathway for pedestrians only which was not present in the current map and just beside that some shops on the south. Above the shops and the pathway, a bus station, a shopping centre, a car park and a new housing area that is connected to the carriageway.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the maps, including the current layout and the proposed developments. You successfully identify key changes such as the dual carriageway, the pedestrian zone, and the relocation of facilities. However, the description of the 'current' map is slightly cluttered and could be more concise to allow for a more analytical comparison. While you mention the main road and the shops, the spatial relationships (e.g., 'bellow that') are sometimes difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview clearly highlights the most significant transformation—the shift from a through-road system to a bypass-style dual carriageway—rather than just listing features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'Overall', 'To go ahead with', and 'Inside it'. However, the progression of ideas within the second paragraph is slightly mechanical. The transition between describing the current map and the future plan is clear, but some referencing is ambiguous, such as 'the intersection with the shops' which is not explicitly labeled on the map. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reformations', 'dual carriageway', and 'pedestrian's pathway'. There are some minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'bellow' instead of 'below' and 'pictures' instead of 'maps'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms for 'shops' or 'housing' and use more precise collocations when describing urban development.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the provided pictures illustrate the map of Islip town which is a not so big town' (awkward phrasing) and 'countryside is there above that' (informal structure). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are occasional slips. To achieve a higher score, focus on reducing these minor errors and increasing the use of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are particularly useful when describing urban planning and development changes.

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

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