Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01

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)

this map is about the centre of small of Islip town as it is now and plans for its development. the main road in current situation is straight and there are two smaller roads are connected which leads to school and park. There are eight shops placed on north side and other eight on south side of main road. Now the planned development for islip town centre, The main road is circular shape and of two lanes. In the new development, There is space for many things unlike map of current town.

In the north side of main road, there is bus station, shopping centre, car park and new housing. all are placed in horizontal way. below all spaces, there is dedicated way for pedestrians. South side of pedestrian path, there are many shops decided. After shops, there are spaces for housing,

new housing and park covered by main road. The school and other housing spacing are located at most south side of main road.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by describing the current and planned maps of Islip. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the transition from a linear road to a circular one. While the main features are identified, the description is somewhat fragmented and lacks precise comparative language. For instance, stating 'there is space for many things' is too vague for an academic report. To improve, focus on highlighting the most striking differences, such as the introduction of the pedestrian zone and the relocation of housing, rather than simply listing features.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into two paragraphs, which is appropriate for a report. However, the flow of information is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'in the north side' and 'south side'. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, making the progression of ideas feel list-like rather than analytical. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'whereas', 'in contrast') to connect the current layout with the proposed developments more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There is a reliance on basic descriptors like 'many things', 'placed', and 'new housing'. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'all are placed in horizontal way' and 'school and other housing spacing'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more specific terminology related to urban planning, such as 'infrastructure', 'pedestrianised zone', 'residential area', and 'reconfiguration'. Avoid repetitive sentence starters and aim for more varied descriptive verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Issues include missing articles ('in current situation', 'on north side'), incorrect prepositions, and awkward phrasing ('circular shape and of two lanes'). Subject-verb agreement is occasionally inconsistent. While the meaning is generally clear, these errors are frequent enough to distract the reader. Focusing on basic sentence construction, correct article usage, and consistent verb tense will significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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