Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-30
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 5.5)
The maps illustrate how the centre of Islip will look now and after development.
Overall, the north area of shops will be converted in different departments, while the north-east corner new house will be removed in the future plan. Other places will be moved.
Countryside area will be removed in the future plan, while the north side shops will be converted. New bus station and shopping centre will added in new development. North-east side house will be removed from plan. South side shops will be moved to centre. Car park will be added in new plan. School area will be expanded after new development.
One way road will be converted into dual carriageway. Housing will be moved from centre to East-side. Shops and other areas between one path will be added in new plan. New path will be added, which access for only Pedestrians only. South-east corner park size will be reduced after new development in future. Central housing will be moved to south-west corner and nearby carriageway.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the new bus station, the dual carriageway, and the relocation of housing. However, the report is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical structure. While it identifies key changes, it fails to synthesize the information effectively, often listing changes in a disjointed manner. The overview is present but lacks depth, and some descriptions are slightly inaccurate or confusing, such as the mention of 'north side shops' being converted when the map shows a more complex transformation. To improve, you should group related changes (e.g., transport infrastructure vs. residential/commercial zones) to provide a more cohesive summary of the development plans.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas within them is mechanical and repetitive. Many sentences start with similar structures (e.g., 'New bus station...', 'North-east side house...', 'Car park will be...'), which makes the text feel like a list rather than a coherent report. There is a lack of varied cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly. While the paragraphing is present, the internal flow is hindered by the repetitive sentence starters and the lack of logical transitions between the different areas of the town. Using a wider range of linking words and varying sentence structures would significantly improve the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple verbs like 'added', 'removed', and 'moved'. There is little attempt to use more precise or sophisticated vocabulary related to urban planning, such as 'demolished', 'constructed', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of lexical variety limits the score. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more specific terminology related to map descriptions and avoid repeating the same verbs throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a limited range of grammatical structures, primarily relying on simple passive voice constructions. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'will added' (should be 'will be added') and 'which access for only Pedestrians only' (which is redundant and grammatically incorrect). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequent errors in verb formation and sentence construction indicate a lack of control over more complex structures. To improve, focus on mastering the passive voice for describing changes and ensure that your sentence subjects and verbs agree correctly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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