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 changes. You successfully identified the major developments, such as the dual carriageway, the pedestrianization of the main road, and the new facilities. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit; for example, you could better highlight how the countryside area is specifically repurposed for the new road. The description of the current layout is accurate, and the transition to the future plans is logical, effectively addressing the prompt's requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the current and future states. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Additionally', 'However', and 'Nevertheless' helps guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two timeframes. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the maps, using terms like 'projected renovation', 'dual carriageway', and 'pedestrianization'. There are some minor errors in word formation, such as 'pedestriany way' (pedestrian area) and 'names Islip' (named Islip). Additionally, 'housing facility' is used repeatedly; varying this with terms like 'residential area' or 'housing units' would improve the lexical variety. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'with addition to' (should be 'with the addition of') and 'Dual carriageway will be developed' (missing an article: 'A dual carriageway'). You also have some minor punctuation and phrasing issues, such as 'pedestrians usage' instead of 'pedestrian use'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not cause confusion. The control of grammar is generally good, and the meaning is always clear, which is consistent with a band 6.5 or 7.0 level.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.