Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-16
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)
In curent map; to the north side there is country side, and next there is shops . In the midle of map from west to east there is main road, and on the both side of road there is Shops . At the back of south side Shops there are Houses . As we enter from west side on the main road at the right hand their is turn .And then School is located at west_south . And as we enter from the east side of main road and their is turn on the left hand .And then Park is located at the east_south. School and Park is opposite to each other and in the center of both there is Houses In planned development ; as we enter from east side there is dual carrigeway from east to west and it is circle dual carriageway . From the east ,as we enter from dual carriageway to the service road , on the write hand there is new Housing area , next there is Car parking , next Shoping center ,and then nexxt in bus sataion it's all belongs on the east_north . In the center of dual carriageway , there is Pedestrains only .And then on the south side with pedestrains only there are Shops , and the back of shops there are old housing area and new housing area .On the back side ,at the east side there is Park located here . At the outer side of dual carriageway on the south_west School is located here.
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 attempts to describe both maps of Islip town centre, outlining the current layout and the proposed developments. Key features such as the pedestrianisation of the central street, the introduction of a dual carriageway, and the relocation of shops into a shopping centre and bus station are mentioned. However, the overview is missing, and the description relies heavily on a repetitive, step-by-step spatial recounting ("as we enter from west side... and then...") rather than a synthesized summary of changes. Some details are slightly imprecise or awkward, but the overall task is addressed at a basic level, corresponding to a band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is divided into two main paragraphs corresponding to the two maps. However, progression within paragraphs lacks logical flow, relying excessively on repetitive transitional phrases like "and then" and "as we enter". Paragraphing is attempted for the two distinct maps, but cohesive devices are mechanical and often inaccurate. Reference words are sometimes ambiguous or missing, making it difficult to follow the spatial relationships smoothly. Overall, the organization meets the criteria for band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent spelling errors throughout the text (e.g., "curent" for current, "midle" for middle, "carrigeway" for carriageway, "Shoping" for shopping, "pedestrains" for pedestrians, "sataion" for station). The writer attempts some task-specific vocabulary such as "dual carriageway", "housing", and "park", but the range is limited, and spelling mistakes occasionally cause strain for the reader. This performance aligns with band 4.5, rounded to 5.0 due to adequate basic coverage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writing contains a very limited range of sentence structures, mostly consisting of simple or poorly linked clauses (e.g., "In curent map; to the north side there is country side, and next there is shops"). There are frequent grammatical errors, including incorrect prepositions ("on the both side", "at the west_south"), punctuation errors, and missing articles. Complex structures are rare and frequently faulty. These frequent errors impede smooth reading and place the grammar score at band 4.5, rounded to 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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