Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-29
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 7.0)
The maps illustrate the current layout of the centre of a small town called Islip and the proposed changes that are planned for its future development.
Overall, the town centre is expected to undergo crucial changes. The mail road will be replaced by a pedestrian-only area, while a new dual carriageway will be built around the centre. In addition, several new facilities and housing areas will be introduced.
To begin with, the road runs from east to west through the centre, with shops located on both sides. There are also two large housing areas in the south-east. The northern part of the town is mainly countryside.
In addition, the town centre will be surrounded by a new dual carriageway. The existing shops will remain, but the road between them will become a pedestrian-only area. A bus station, shopping centre and car park will be added to the north-western part of the centre. New housing will also be constructed in the north-east and south-east, while the park will remain in the south-east. The school and some existing housing will remain outside the new road.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response effectively addresses the task by summarizing the main features of the current and proposed town layout. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the pedestrianization of the main road, the construction of the dual carriageway, and the addition of new facilities. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully developed; for instance, you could explicitly contrast the current lack of facilities in the north-west with the proposed additions. Overall, the information is well-selected and the main trends are clearly highlighted.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview, followed by the current state and the proposed changes. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different aspects of the task. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'To begin with', and 'while' are used appropriately to link ideas. The flow of information is smooth, and the reader can easily follow the comparison between the two maps. The structure is coherent throughout, and referencing is clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information clearly. Terms like 'pedestrian-only area', 'dual carriageway', and 'proposed changes' are used accurately in the context of urban planning. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or varied descriptive language to describe the scale of the changes. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language used is appropriate for an academic report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice effectively to describe the changes (e.g., 'will be replaced', 'will be constructed'), which is appropriate for this type of task. The grammar is generally accurate, with only minor slips that do not affect clarity. The punctuation is handled well, and the sentence construction is varied enough to maintain interest. To improve, you could experiment with more complex subordinate clauses to further demonstrate grammatical flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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