Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The first map illustrates the Islip town in present, while second figure delineates the planned transformation of the center.

In general, Islip has few shops in present, whereas in planned map it has changed a lot by adding more facilities for residents. However changes include a significant dual carriageway around the shops and housing area.

In detail, right now, there is a main road between two shops lines in vertical above the housing. There is a park on the north-east side, and subsequently a school in the end of the road in western south of houses.

In contrast, in planned map main road has developed into circular path called dual carriageway. Moreover, northern shops transformed to add a bus station, a large shopping center and a car parking area, while on the right, its another new housing. The middle main road now only for pedestrians, and on the bottom park size has reduced to include more residential homes. School is in the same location in second map as it is in present.

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, the pedestrianisation of the central road, and the expansion of housing and facilities. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic, and the description of locations is occasionally imprecise (e.g., 'western south of houses'). While the main trends are identified, the comparison between the two maps could be more analytical. The response meets the requirements of the task by reporting the key changes, but it lacks the level of detail and sophisticated synthesis required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to a general overview, and then to specific details. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In general', 'However', 'In detail', and 'In contrast', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'in the end of the road in western south of houses', which makes the spatial description difficult to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific features.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'delineates', 'transformation', 'dual carriageway', and 'pedestrians'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'shops lines', 'in present' (instead of 'at present'), and 'in the end of the road'. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility needed for a higher band. There is some repetition of basic structures, and the vocabulary is generally functional rather than sophisticated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the Islip town', 'the planned map') and prepositions ('in present', 'in the end of the road'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The sentence structure is generally clear, but the control over complex grammatical forms is inconsistent. Punctuation is generally acceptable, though some phrasing is slightly unnatural.

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

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