Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The given maps describe the present situation of Islip and plans for its development .
Overall , it can be seen that the many changes in the Islip town . change the location of many place including shops , housing , countryside area . There are many place not develop in the present map which are dual carriageway , bus station , car park , new housing .
In planned development , shows many place including carriageway , bus station , car park , new housing , which are not develop in the present . Whereas , shops location has been changed in the recent map , while include many shops now . shops location showed in the center of the map in the planned development .
Dual carriageway is not constructed in the present . Housing not develop in the proper place , while not add the new housing .
There are many development not very wel
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response attempts to describe the maps but fails to provide a clear or accurate summary of the main features. While it mentions the dual carriageway and housing, the description is fragmented and lacks the necessary detail to clearly contrast the 'present' and 'planned' states. The information is often repetitive and confusing, such as the claim that shops are 'not developed' in the present, which contradicts the visual evidence. The response is incomplete, ending abruptly with an unfinished sentence, which prevents a full overview of the town's development. Consequently, the key features are not adequately highlighted or compared.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression of ideas is weak. The sentences within paragraphs do not flow well, and the use of cohesive devices is limited and often inaccurate (e.g., 'Whereas, shops location has been changed...'). The referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the two maps. The abrupt ending of the text further disrupts the coherence of the response. Overall, the structure is present but does not effectively support the communication of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms like 'place', 'many', and 'develop' throughout the text. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'not develop in the proper place' and 'not add the new housing'. The lack of precise terminology to describe map features (e.g., 'north', 'south', 'adjacent', 'relocated') significantly hinders the ability to describe the changes accurately. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to convey the information clearly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede meaning. There are significant issues with subject-verb agreement ('shops location has been changed'), missing articles ('in the center of the map'), and sentence fragments ('There are many development not very wel'). The sentence structures are simple and often lack proper punctuation or logical construction. The control of grammar is weak, and the errors are pervasive throughout the text, making it difficult to understand the intended message in several places.
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