Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-28
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 6.0)
The maps illustrates the present condition of Islip town along with the future development, which is planned to make it modern and well-connected.
Overall, the Islip town will undergo significant changes as the structure of town is going to change. The main highlights will be dual carriageway and various amenities such as bus station, shopping centre and car park. In addition, new residents will also be built for inhabitants.
At present, there is only one main road with shops on the both sides of the road facing each other. On the south-east side, there is a big park.Furthermore, there is a school on the south-west at the end of the road that is connected to main road. Housing colonies can be seen also at the center between school and the park.
In contrast, Future development model is well-designed. First of all, all the facilities will be connected through dual carriage way for the convenience. Moreover, the main road will be converted into a lane dedicated to pedestrians only. There will be a bus station, shopping centre and car park on the north side of the lane, while the shops on the south side will remain unchanged. Two new housing colonies will be constructed, one adjacent to the car park and another one will be close to the park.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of Islip town centre now and comparing them with the planned developments. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting key changes such as the introduction of the dual carriageway and new facilities like the bus station and shopping centre. Specific details from the maps are accurately reported, including the pedestrianisation of the main road, the relocation of shops, and the addition of new housing zones and a car park. The response covers the required information comprehensively and maintains a clear comparative focus throughout, satisfying the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay is logically organised into four paragraphs, moving from an introduction and overview to a description of the current map, followed by a contrastive look at the future plans. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons, using phrases such as 'At present', 'In addition', and 'In contrast'. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall progression from present to future is clear. However, occasional minor cohesion issues, such as the slightly repetitive referencing of roads and areas, prevent the response from reaching a higher band score, placing it comfortably at a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task 1 response, successfully employing terms like 'inhabitants', 'pedestrians only', 'dual carriage way', and 'amenities'. There are occasional awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'new residents will also be built' (instead of residential areas/housing) and minor collocation slips like 'dual carriage way' (written as two words). Spelling is generally accurate, and the vocabulary allows the writer to convey the necessary spatial relationships and changes clearly, which aligns with the descriptors for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over structures such as relative clauses ('road that is connected to main road') and subordinate clauses ('while the shops on the south side will remain unchanged'). There are some grammatical errors, notably missing articles ('The maps illustrates', 'structure of town', 'future development model'), but these errors rarely impede communication and do not obscure the meaning. The majority of simple sentences are error-free, and complex structures are attempted with reasonable accuracy, reflecting a solid Band 6.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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