Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-03

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 5.0)

The maps illustrate the centre of a small town called Islip as it now, and plans for its development.

Overall, there are significant changes in Islip town. In future they have planned to develop the whole town with new facilities like bus station, car park, shopping center, and many more.

In Islip town there is housing facilities at the center, while there is also another housing area which is located at south side. Moreover, there are two shops at north side and there is a main road in between the shops. There is also school facilities which is located at southwest at the end of main road, meanwhile there is parking area at the another end of main road which is located at southeast.

On the other hand, Islip town have planned to developed the whole town with different facilities like bus station, shopping centre, car park, and many more.

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the maps, but the development of these ideas is limited. While you identify the current layout and the proposed changes, the description lacks detail regarding the specific locations of the new facilities (e.g., the pedestrianised area or the new road layout). The summary is somewhat repetitive, as the final paragraph largely restates the general overview provided in the introduction. To improve, you should focus on providing a more analytical comparison between the 'now' and 'future' states, ensuring that all key changes are clearly described rather than just listed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive (e.g., 'there is' is used frequently to introduce new information). The transition between the current state and the future plans could be smoother. To achieve a higher band, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, avoiding the repetition of the same information in the introduction and the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple terms like 'facilities', 'shops', and 'area'. There is little attempt to use more sophisticated or precise vocabulary related to urban planning or map description. Furthermore, there are some word choice errors, such as 'Islip town have planned to developed', where the verb form is incorrect. To improve, aim to incorporate more descriptive vocabulary related to spatial changes and development, and ensure that your word forms are accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'as it now' (missing verb), 'there is school facilities' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'planned to developed' (incorrect infinitive form). The range of structures is limited, and the errors are noticeable throughout the text. To improve, focus on basic subject-verb agreement and ensure that you are using the correct verb tenses when describing future plans. Proofreading for these common errors will significantly improve your score.

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

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