Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-04
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)
The maps below show the centre of a small town called islip called islip as it is now, and plans for its development:
Islip town centre now have a countryside , some shops, a main road, a housing, a school , a park two housings. Whereas in planned development, there is a bus station, shopping centre, a car park, new housing , some shops, dual carriageway, a school, a housing , there are four directions i.e; north, east, south and east
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 81 words. This significantly impacts the ability to fully address the task. While you have identified some features of the maps, the summary is extremely brief and lacks the necessary detail, analysis, and comparison required for an Academic Task 1 response. You have not provided an overview of the main trends or significant changes, which is essential for a higher band score. To improve, you must expand your description by grouping information logically and providing a clear summary of the overall development plans.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response lacks a clear structure. There is no paragraphing, and the information is presented as a list of features rather than a cohesive report. The use of cohesive devices is minimal and ineffective, making the text feel disjointed. To improve, you should organize your response into distinct paragraphs: an introduction, an overview of the main changes, and two body paragraphs detailing specific features. Using linking words such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', and 'subsequently' will help guide the reader through your comparison of the two maps.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. You rely on basic nouns like 'shops', 'housing', and 'school' without using more descriptive language or varied terminology to describe the town's infrastructure. There are also errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'a countryside' and the repetitive use of 'a housing'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to urban planning, such as 'residential areas', 'infrastructure', 'pedestrianized zones', or 'expansion'. Expanding your range of vocabulary will allow you to describe the changes more accurately and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, fragmented sentences. There are frequent errors in punctuation and sentence structure, such as the repetitive phrasing in the opening sentence and the misuse of semicolons. The lack of complex sentence structures prevents you from demonstrating a higher level of grammatical control. To improve, focus on using a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, and ensure that your subject-verb agreement and punctuation are accurate. Proofreading for basic errors will also help improve the overall clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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