Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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 6.5)

The provided maps compare the layouts of the centre of a small town names Islip now and how it will look after its projected renovation.

Overall, the town is planned to undergo significant changes with addition to modern facilities and amenities. The major changes will include duel carriageway, a shopping centre, a bus station, a pedestriany way and new housings.

At present, the Islip town centre has a relatively simple structure. There are shops evenly distributed on the upper and lower side of the main road on the northern side near the countryside. At the center of the town there is housing facility and at the southern end another housing facility is situated. Moreover, a school is located at the south-western part of a road connected to the main road. Additionally, another road from the main road leads to a parking lot on the eastern side of the town centre.

However, the planned development is much more advanced. Dual carriageway will be developed. It will include the area currently occupied by countryside. At the southern end, the former school and housing will remain largely unchanged. Nevertheless, the shops at the northern part above the main road will be replaced by a bus station, a shopping centre, another car park and a new housing facility. The main road will be changed as well to pedestrians usage only.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all key features of the maps, including the current layout and the proposed developments. You successfully identify the major changes, such as the dual carriageway and the pedestrianisation of the main road. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more precise; for instance, you mention the school remains 'largely unchanged' but could explicitly note its location relative to the new developments to better highlight the spatial shift. Overall, the information is well-selected and the main trends are clearly reported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised into clear paragraphs, moving from an introduction and overview to a detailed description of the current state and then the future plans. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Additionally', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a task of this nature. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions between sentences could be slightly more sophisticated to avoid a repetitive structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'projected renovation', 'distributed', and 'pedestrianisation'. There are a few minor errors in word formation, such as 'pedestriany way' (should be 'pedestrian area') and 'names Islip' (should be 'named Islip'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the variety and precision of less common lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. Focus on using more precise collocations related to urban planning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'with addition to modern facilities' (should be 'with the addition of') and 'Dual carriageway will be developed' (missing an article: 'A dual carriageway'). Additionally, 'pedestrians usage' should be 'pedestrian use'. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To improve, work on article usage and prepositional phrases to ensure your sentences are more grammatically polished and varied.

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

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