Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-25
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)
The maps illustrate the centre of a city named Islip as it's present condition, and plans to construct for it's development.
Overall, it is clear that there will be huge changes in the town centre, the major change is in the main road, which will be constructed by dual carriageway. Moreover, there will be a place for padestrians only and it will replace on the middle of the town.
To begin with,there is countryside and shops on the north of the layout, which will be constructed by some new things such as bus station, shopping centre, car park and new housing on the northeast side.
Furthermore, in the west side, there is school, housing and park area, which remain untouched. However, there is two housing area but in the future the numbers of housing will increase.
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 the main features of the maps, noting the replacement of shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park, as well as the introduction of a dual carriageway and pedestrianised street. However, the response is under the 136-word count threshold specified by the length check, falling short of the 150-word minimum, which caps the Task Achievement score. Furthermore, some spatial descriptions are imprecise or factually incorrect regarding the layout changes (for instance, claiming that the school, housing, and park area in the west remain untouched, whereas the maps show changes to the park and surrounding areas). To improve, ensure all parts of the visual data are accurately reported and meet the required word length.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response shows a basic attempt at organization, utilizing introductory and transitional phrases like 'Overall,' 'To begin with,' and 'Furthermore.' However, paragraphing is underdeveloped, and the flow is occasionally disrupted by mechanical or inaccurate cohesive devices, such as 'it's present condition' and 'it will replace on the middle.' Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the overall progression lacks the cohesion expected at higher bands. To achieve a higher score, the writer should ensure smoother transitions between ideas and structure the response into clearer, well-differentiated paragraphs focusing on specific areas of the map.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for basic communication but contains noticeable errors in word choice, spelling ('padestrians'), and grammatical forms ('it's present condition' instead of 'its present condition'). While the student attempts some task-specific vocabulary such as 'dual carriageway,' 'shopping centre,' and 'bus station,' the range is limited and repetitive. Awkward phrasing like 'constructed by dual carriageway' and 'constructed by some new things' demonstrates a restricted control of collocations. To improve, the student needs to expand their range of functional vocabulary for describing spatial changes and pay closer attention to word formation and spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The text contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical accuracy is weak. There are frequent errors in prepositions and verb forms, such as 'plans to construct for it's development' and 'there is two housing area.' Punctuation and article usage also show frequent lapses. Complex structures are often faulty, and errors occasionally cause ambiguity for the reader. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement, correct prepositional use in spatial descriptions, and ensure accurate use of possessive determiners versus contractions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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