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. Meanwhile, the main road will be changed as well to pedestrians usage only. The shops below that remain in the original location. The former housing at the centre of the town is planned to be moved a bit to the west, whereas another new housing will be constructed next to the old parking lot.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the Islip town centre maps and provided a clear comparison between the current and future layouts. You covered all key developments, such as the dual carriageway, the pedestrianisation of the main road, and the relocation of housing. The overview is clear and sets the tone for the report. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, when describing the relocation of housing, specifying the direction or proximity to other landmarks more clearly would enhance the clarity of your report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow a thematic structure. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Additionally', 'However', and 'Meanwhile' to guide the reader through the changes. While the progression is generally smooth, some transitions between sentences feel slightly mechanical. Improving the variety of linking phrases and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the shops below') is always unambiguous would help the flow of the text feel more natural and sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'projected renovation', 'amenities', and 'pedestrianisation'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'pedestriany way' (should be 'pedestrian area') and 'duel carriageway' (spelling error: 'dual'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure development' or 'redevelopment scheme', rather than relying on simpler descriptive phrases. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly despite these minor slips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'names Islip' (should be 'named Islip'), 'with addition to' (should be 'with the addition of'), and 'pedestrians usage' (should be 'pedestrian use'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as well as ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with greater precision.

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

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