Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-10
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 5.5)
The presented layout illustrates the plans for present and advancement of the centre of Islip town. Overall, it is clear that there are huge different changes in the two maps. Specially countryside has removed in the developed plan and there are some facilities are improved rather than present.
According to the first map, the village is situated in the north corner in the map, The shops are located beside the main route. In the middle of the map and south corner, there is accommodation areas. A park and a school are included in this layout.
In the second map, there are numerous new parts can be seen. Especially the countryside has removed But the transportation facilities are enhanced such as roads, bus station pedestrian and car park. A wide range of accommodation facilities can be seen in this map. A shopping centre has newly appointed and shops, school, park are still remained.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a basic overview of the changes, but it lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. While you mention the removal of the countryside and the addition of new facilities, the description of the town layout is somewhat vague. For instance, you mention 'accommodation areas' and 'new parts' without specifying their locations or the extent of the expansion relative to the original map. To improve, ensure you provide more specific comparisons, such as noting that the housing has expanded to the north and south, or that the new road bypasses the town centre. The summary of the main features is present but could be more precise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is a logical structure for a Task 1 response. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate, such as the abrupt transition 'Especially the countryside has removed But the transportation...'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial relationships between the features. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your sentences flow naturally into one another. Ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as one for the original layout and one for the proposed developments.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite repetitive and lacks precision. Phrases like 'huge different changes' and 'newly appointed' are not natural collocations in this context. You rely on basic descriptors and struggle to use more sophisticated vocabulary to describe urban planning features. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to maps and development, such as 'residential zones', 'infrastructure', 'demolished', or 'integrated'. Avoid using informal phrasing and focus on selecting words that accurately reflect the changes shown in the diagrams.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and sentence structure. For example, 'countryside has removed' should be 'the countryside has been removed', and 'shops, school, park are still remained' is grammatically incorrect. There is a limited range of complex structures, and the errors occasionally cause the reader to pause. To improve, focus on mastering passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing map changes, and ensure that your verb tenses are consistent. Proofreading for basic errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.