Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-08
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)
This sketch shows the map of small town called Islip.One sketch shows old design of town and shows develop design of town.
Overall, in old map the looks very small. At the one side of town the shops are located in front of main road.On the other side houses are located.In the east corner park is built where childern is playing.And in west side a school is built.
The old design of map looks very old so that is why they a proper development according to the modern world.In old map there is no proper bus station and shopping center for the people so they wanted to built both in new design.A shopping center is also built in new design.In old design the shops are located at in one corner but in development planned they try to built it in the center of town.A park and a school is also mantioned in new plan.The road is also built all around the town.Houses of people located all over the town.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the task by describing the current and planned layout of Islip. However, the reporting of features is somewhat superficial. While you identify key changes like the new bus station and shopping center, the description lacks precision regarding spatial relationships (e.g., the specific relocation of the shops). The analysis is hindered by a lack of clear comparison between the two maps, often listing features rather than synthesizing the information. To improve, focus on grouping features logically—such as transport, residential, and commercial zones—and use more precise language to describe the transformation of the town center.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often mechanical and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple transitions like 'In old map' and 'In new design,' which makes the progression feel disjointed. There is a lack of varied cohesive devices to link ideas smoothly. Furthermore, some referencing is unclear, such as 'they wanted to built both,' where the antecedent is not explicitly stated. Improving the use of linking words (e.g., 'consequently,' 'whereas,' 'in contrast') and ensuring clear pronoun references would significantly enhance the logical flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'old design,' 'new design,' and 'built.' There is little evidence of a range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps or urban development. You also make several word-choice errors, such as 'mantioned' (mentioned) and 'develop design' (developed design). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to town planning, such as 'infrastructure,' 'residential area,' 'commercial zone,' 'relocated,' and 'expanded.' Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and verbs will help you convey information more effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with article usage (e.g., 'in old map'), subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'childern is playing'), and verb forms (e.g., 'they wanted to built'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they are often faulty. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring correct tense usage and consistent subject-verb agreement. Practicing the use of relative clauses and passive voice would also help you achieve a more formal, academic tone.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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