Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-17
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 8.5)
The maps illustrate the current layout of the centre of Islip and the proposed changes for its future development.
Overall, the town centre is set to undergo substantial redevelopment, most notably through the construction of a ring road and the conversion of the existing main road into a pedestrian-only area. In addition, several new facilities and residential areas will be introduced, while the park and some existing shops will be reduced or removed.
At present, the main road runs from east to west through the centre of Islip, with shops located on both sides. Under the proposed plan, this road will be pedestrianised, meaning that through traffic will no longer pass through the centre. Instead, vehicles will use a new dual carriageway that will form a ring around the town centre.
The northern row of shops will be demolished to make way for a shopping centre, a bus station and a car park. By contrast, the shops on the southern side of the pedestrian area will remain. Further changes include the construction of additional housing, while the existing park will be reduced in size.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The student has successfully covered all parts of the task by providing a clear summary of the changes shown in the two maps of Islip town centre. The response highlights key features such as the construction of the dual carriageway ring road, the pedestrianisation of the main road, and the replacement of northern shops with a shopping centre, bus station, and car park. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, which captures the main developmental trends. The comparisons made regarding what remains unchanged, such as the southern shops and the outer school and housing, are accurate and grounded in the visual data. The task is fully and adequately addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The response is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Ideas are structured clearly with an introductory paragraph, a strong overview paragraph, and well-organized body paragraphs that contrast the current layout with future plans. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, as seen with phrases like 'most notably', 'In addition', 'At present', and 'Under the proposed plan'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages of the analysis. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring a smooth and logical progression of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task describing maps. Less common lexical items are used skillfully and naturally, such as 'substantial redevelopment', 'pedestrian-only area', 'demolished', and 'dual carriageway'. Word choice and collocations are accurate throughout the response, with no noticeable errors. The language is precise and effectively communicates the spatial changes and transformations depicted in the visual data.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'which will form a ring around the town centre', 'meaning that through traffic will no longer pass'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating excellent control over tense usage, prepositions, and punctuation. The shift between present tense for the current map and future/conditional structures for the proposed plan is handled with complete accuracy and fluency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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