Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-05

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 6.5)

The maps below illustrate the present layout of the centre called Islip located in a small town and plans for its renovation.

Overall, the building is planned to undergo significant redevelopment. Although spaces dedicated to school, housing, shops and park will remain the same, while there would be an addition of new commercial facilities as well as new transport infrastructure. The region of countryside would be removed.

At present, there is a countryside at the north, with shops directly below it with a main road between them. The park is located in the east-south section, just facing the road led off from the main road, while the school is present at the bottom of a map. There is a enlarged space in the centre which has been dedicated to housing.

In the future, the commercial facilities would be surrounded by the dual carriageway, with a school and previous housing remain the same. However, there would be an addition of bus station nearby upper dual carriageway, with shopping centre, car park and new housing will be at side by side. Notably, the main road will be transformed to pedestrians only, containing shops just directly below it. In addition, the parking area would be reduced and contained new housing nearby.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the maps, including the removal of the countryside and the addition of new infrastructure. You provided a clear overview and made relevant comparisons between the present and future states. However, some descriptions are slightly imprecise; for instance, stating that the school and housing 'remain the same' is not entirely accurate, as the layout of the housing area changes significantly. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial relationships are described with greater precision, such as specifying the exact location of the new bus station or the orientation of the new housing relative to the dual carriageway.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the present and future layouts. You use some cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although,' 'However,' and 'In addition.' However, the flow is occasionally hindered by slightly awkward phrasing, such as 'the region of countryside would be removed' or 'the school is present at the bottom of a map.' The use of referencing could be more precise to ensure the reader can easily track the changes between the two maps. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the maps, using terms like 'redevelopment,' 'commercial facilities,' 'infrastructure,' and 'pedestrians only.' There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'there is a countryside' (should be 'there is countryside') and 'the region of countryside' (which sounds slightly unnatural). You also use 'enlarged space' and 'previous housing' in ways that are not entirely clear. To improve, focus on more precise collocations related to urban planning, such as 'residential area' instead of 'housing' or 'pedestrianized zone' instead of 'pedestrians only.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'the school and previous housing remain the same' (should be 'will remain'), 'there is a countryside' (should be 'there is countryside'), and 'contained new housing' (should be 'will contain'). Additionally, there are some issues with article usage and prepositional phrases, such as 'at the north' (should be 'in the north') and 'at side by side' (should be 'side by side'). These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the score.

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

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