Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-14
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 4.5)
The maps below show the center of a small town called Islip as it is now and plans for its development. These maps show the Islip town center now and Islip town center planned development. These maps show school park and housing.
The first map show East side main road left side on the country side eight shops and the right side eight shops. The back on the west right side road a school and then on the main road east side right side a park.
The second map planned development the road on the north side a bus station and next the shopping center and next car park next on the right side there is a new housing and on the south side road right side a park and new housing and next a school and dual carriageway in housing in the east side road pedestrians only right side have eight shops.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to address the task by describing some features of the current and proposed maps of Islip, such as the shops, school, park, and new housing. However, the information is presented in a very fragmented and superficial manner, failing to provide a clear, well-structured summary or to make meaningful comparisons between the two maps as required. Key developments like the introduction of the dual carriageway, bus station, and shopping center are mentioned in a single, run-on sentence without adequate expansion or analysis. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, which aligns with the Band 5 descriptor for this criterion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response lacks clear overall progression and logical organisation. The text is divided into three very short paragraphs, but sentences within them are heavily disjointed and lack appropriate cohesive devices. For example, 'The second map planned development the road on the north side a bus station and next the shopping center...' demonstrates a lack of basic conjunctions, transition words, and logical signposting. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial relationships between the various town features. Paragraphing is present mechanically rather than functionally, reflecting Band 4 performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying heavily on fundamental nouns and prepositions (e.g., 'map', 'road', 'side', 'school', 'park', 'shops'). There is almost no use of less common lexical items or appropriate vocabulary for describing geographical changes, such as transformation, demolition, expansion, or relocation. Word choice and collocation are frequently awkward or incorrect, as seen in phrases like 'the road on the north side a bus station'. While basic meaning is occasionally conveyed, the limited and repetitive range of vocabulary restricts the response to a Band 4 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures. There is a complete absence of accurate complex sentences; instead, the writing consists of fragmented clauses strung together without proper verbs or punctuation, such as 'The first map show East side main road left side on the country side eight shops and the right side eight shops.' Grammatical errors are pervasive throughout the text, including missing verbs, incorrect prepositions, and faulty subject-verb agreement. These frequent errors severely impede communication and demonstrate control that falls below Band 4, though minimal elements of basic sentence creation keep it at a solid Band 4.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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