Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-23

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 4.0)

The given plans display the changes in the center of a small town go by name of Islip as it now, and plans for its renovation.

Overall, this map describe in Islip town in now and planned development. And school is as it that place on map not different between now and planned. And development are very good rather them now time.

In now time no dual carriageway whereas planned development in arriageway and presious more then now. Shops are touch on main road. And in other side now time shops but in planned growth bus made bus station, shopping center, car parking and new housing. At the moment parking is large rather Progress small.

At present only housing but in evolution made new housing. Just now main road but in expansion pedestrians only moreover road complete in new housing. At this moment in time countryside whereas Advancement no more space for more development. That was different between Islip town center currently and Islip town center aging.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The student attempts to describe the changes shown in the maps, mentioning the introduction of a dual carriageway, the transformation of the central road into a pedestrian zone, and the replacement of shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park. However, the response falls short of a fully developed overview and contains several inaccurate or vague descriptions, such as 'bus made bus station' and confusing references to space and housing. While some main features are identified, the lack of a clear, coherent summary of the overall transformation limits the score. The task is addressed only partially, as the reporting of spatial relationships and comparative changes is frequently unclear and disjointed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The essay is divided into short paragraphs, but the organization and progression of ideas are severely hindered by disjointed phrasing and a lack of logical flow. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as starting sentences with 'In now time' or 'At the moment'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks clear thematic unity. Referencing between the current layout and the future plans is often confusing, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial and temporal progression of the town's development.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is extremely limited, repetitive, and basic. The student frequently misuses words or invents non-standard phrases, such as 'go by name of Islip', 'arriageway', 'presious', and 'evolution made new housing'. Attempts to use more advanced vocabulary result in severe collocation errors and inappropriate word choices that hinder communication. Spelling and word formation errors are prevalent throughout the text, reflecting a restricted lexicon that is inadequate for an academic task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

Grammatical control is weak throughout the response. The student relies on basic sentence structures, and attempts at complex or comparative structures are almost entirely faulty, featuring missing verbs, incorrect prepositions, and fragmented clauses (e.g., 'And school is as it that place on map not different between now and planned'). Errors occur in almost every sentence, affecting tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and word order. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and prevent the expression of precise relationships.

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