Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The maps below illsutrates main area of town named Islip as it is now and plans to change in future .
Firstly we can see the plan a round road across whole town as if now ther Is only one main road which is small, secondly they include bus station in north direction beside that there will be shopping centre in middle and beside it there is car parking , shopping centre would be big if buscompare to bus and parking moreover there will be less shops In new map compres to old one , further more housing has neen added In soth direction and new housing aslo added . Park would remain in same place in south-east direction there are no changes in here , coming upn to school as this also remain on same place in south direction ,Housing has been also out dual carrige way at south , overall many changes can be seen in new one compres to old
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main changes shown on the maps, such as the introduction of a dual carriageway, the pedestrianisation of the central road, and the replacement of shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park. However, the structure lacks an overview paragraph, which is essential for a Band 6 or higher. Furthermore, some details are vague or imprecise (e.g., 'shopping centre would be big if buscompare to bus and parking'). The student identifies several key features like the park and school remaining in place, but the overall selection and reporting of data feel somewhat disjointed and lack a clear, overarching summary of the transformation.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The response is written as a single, long run-on paragraph, which severely impacts coherence and paragraphing structure. While the student uses some basic cohesive devices and sequencing words like 'Firstly', 'secondly', and 'moreover', these transitions are often mechanical and punctuation is largely neglected, resulting in comma splices and unpunctuated clauses (e.g., '...as if now ther Is only one main road which is small, secondly they include bus station...'). There is no clear logical progression or paragraph division to separate the introduction, body features, and overview.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is quite basic and repetitive, with frequent spelling errors ('illsutrates', 'ther', 'buscompare', 'compres', 'neen', 'soth', 'aslo', 'coming upn', 'carrige'). The student attempts some task-specific vocabulary such as 'dual carriageway', 'shopping centre', and 'pedestrianisation' (implied by 'pedestrians only'), but the range is limited and inaccuracies in word choice and spelling are noticeable throughout the response, occasionally causing strain for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The grammatical range is very limited. The response consists mostly of poorly controlled compound and complex sentences joined loosely by conjunctions and commas without proper punctuation boundaries. There are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles, incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'in north direction', 'at south'), and tense inconsistencies. These errors occur frequently and cause difficulty for the reader, preventing the text from reaching higher band levels where control over complex structures is demonstrated.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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