Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-09
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 map shows the centre of small town which is known as Islip, According to the map the country side is on the north side of the min road, there is a road which goes from main road to the park, There are housing on the west side of the park and south of the main road,there is a school which is on the south of the main road, There also a road which starts from school and combines with main road.
The other map which shows the development of the Islip town centre, According to this Bus station is on the western north of the Dual carriageway, Shopping centre and Car park on the the east of bus station. New housing development is on the northerneast of the Dual carriageway, the shops located on the centre of the planned development map.
In conclusion, these maps shows the planed of development of the Islip town centre.
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 covers the main features of both maps, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant changes, such as the transition from a residential area to a more commercialized town center. The description of the current layout is somewhat repetitive, and the comparison between the two maps is underdeveloped. To improve, you should group information more logically—for example, by describing the existing infrastructure first, then highlighting the key additions like the bus station and shopping center in the development plan. A clear opening statement summarizing the overall transformation would also help meet the requirements for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three short paragraphs, but the flow of information is mechanical. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas; for instance, the transition between the description of the current town and the development plan is abrupt. The use of referencing is also weak, with repetitive sentence structures starting with 'According to the map' or 'There are'. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words such as 'furthermore', 'in contrast', or 'subsequently' to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the 'before' and 'after' states.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic directional language like 'north side', 'west side', and 'south of'. While the terms used are relevant to the task, there is no attempt to use more sophisticated or precise vocabulary to describe the layout or the development. For example, instead of saying 'there is a road', you could use 'a road network connects' or 'the infrastructure includes'. Spelling errors such as 'planed' and 'northerneast' also detract from the overall quality. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and nouns related to urban planning would significantly improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response consists primarily of simple sentences with frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding articles ('the country side', 'the Islip town centre') and punctuation. There are several run-on sentences where clauses are joined incorrectly with commas, such as 'There are housing on the west side of the park and south of the main road,there is a school...'. Subject-verb agreement is also inconsistent, for example, 'these maps shows'. To reach a higher band, you need to demonstrate control over complex sentence structures and improve your accuracy with basic grammar, including prepositions and pluralization.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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