Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

This maps image illustrates to the Islip town center now and Islip town center planned development.

the current Islip town center there have shops is countryside then middle of main road then twice is hosing department is there then separate parking area and school behind the school they fixed compass, but the planned development was totally different rather than current there have a develop circle of and new other department add like Bus station, Shopping center particular carparking and new housing road these department is adding then the school and housing is manage to out of the circle they add the Dual carriageway for then the compass was manage the upper instead of current Islip town. so the main difference was to manage the separate limitation, and all mentioned area have managed by the particular limitation to shows the management and some more area will be managed properly instead of the current Islip town center.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response attempts to describe the changes between the current and planned town center. However, it fails to clearly identify the main features or provide a coherent summary. The description of the layout is confusing, using vague terms like 'compass' and 'limitation' instead of accurately describing the spatial changes (e.g., the bypass, the pedestrianized zone, or the relocation of facilities). The response lacks a clear overview, which is essential for Task 1. While it mentions several new additions like the bus station and shopping center, the lack of clarity in describing the spatial relationships between these elements means the information is not effectively communicated to the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response is written as a single, long paragraph, which lacks logical organization. There is no clear progression of ideas; the transition between the current layout and the proposed changes is abrupt and difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, such as the repetitive use of 'then' and 'managed'. The lack of paragraphing and the absence of clear signposting make the text difficult to navigate. The referencing is often unclear, making it hard for the reader to understand which part of the map is being described at any given time.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and often inaccurate. The student struggles to use appropriate terminology for describing maps, such as 'hosing department' (likely meaning housing) and 'compass' (likely meaning compass rose or map legend). The word 'limitation' is used repeatedly in a way that does not make sense in this context. There is a lack of precision, and the student relies on basic, repetitive language. To improve, the student needs to learn specific vocabulary related to urban planning and spatial descriptions, such as 'pedestrianized', 'bypass', 'relocated', and 'residential area'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. There are significant issues with sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, and word order (e.g., 'This maps image illustrates to the Islip town center'). Many sentences are fragmented or run-on, making them difficult to parse. Punctuation is largely absent, which further complicates the reading process. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, poorly constructed sentences. The frequent errors in basic grammar mean that the meaning is often obscured, preventing the reader from clearly understanding the intended message.

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