Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-21
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 given map represents the present structure of small town called Islip and the other diagram shows its development plans.
In the first map, which is current structure of Islip town center, Main road is connecting all places as where the straight road is going there are shops in north which are connected to main roads, there are shops on south side which is also connected to main road and behind shops on south side there housing. There is a side path going from west to south side and it goes to school and there is also housing in south, there is second path way going from East to south which goes to Park.
In the second map, which is planned development structure of Islip town center, there will be dual carriageway instead of main road, New Bus Station, shopping centre, car park and new housing will be added were the shops were there in north side of main road, the main road will be converted into pedestrians only, the shops in south side of road will be remained same new housing will be added by side of park and school, park and old housing will be not have any changes
Overall, there are many new facility will be added and there is change in road structure where as shops on south side, School, Park and old housing will be remain at same position.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully addresses the task by comparing the current map of Islip with the proposed development plan. The student identifies the main features, such as the replacement of the main road with a dual carriageway and a pedestrianized central street, as well as the addition of a bus station, shopping centre, car park, and new housing. An overview is provided at the end of the text. However, some details are slightly imprecise, such as stating that the park and old housing will have no changes, whereas the map clearly shows the park is reduced in size. Therefore, it covers all requirements adequately but contains minor inaccuracies in data reporting.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into four paragraphs: an introduction, a description of the current map, a description of the future plan, and an overview. However, the internal cohesion of the sentences is often weak and repetitive, relying heavily on comma splices and run-on structures (e.g., 'In the first map, which is current structure of Islip town center, Main road is connecting all places as where the straight road is going...'). Paragraph progression is somewhat mechanical, but the overall layout is coherent enough to follow the comparisons being made.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and changes, including terms like 'dual carriageway', 'pedestrianized', 'shopping centre', and 'structure'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'present structure of small town' (missing article), 'behind shops on south side there housing' (missing verb), and 'will be remain at same position'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the general message, these inaccuracies limit the band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but it is heavily hindered by run-on sentences and punctuation errors. Many long sentences are linked improperly with commas instead of full stops or appropriate conjunctions, such as in the second and third paragraphs. There are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('current structure of Islip town center'), missing verbs ('there housing'), and awkward verb forms ('will be not have any changes', 'will be remain'). These errors occasionally cause strain for the reader.
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