Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The maps illustrate the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Basically, it is a comparing between present and future.
Now the Islip town is looking simple, in the town there are shops for shopping, shops are situated on both side of the main road, there is a public park for the people of town, there are houses for residents and a school for children. These things are common as we can find them in every town. But the town which is in the future plan is totally different from the present.
In the future, more things shall be added to the town like a new bus station, a shopping centre for residents, car parking will be also added, new housing scheme for the upcoming residents, also the main road which was in the centre of town will removed because it can be detrimental for residents a path for padestrians will be added in replacement of main road, furthermore dual carriageway will be provided in the future.
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 student attempts to summarise the changes between the two maps, noting the present layout and future additions such as the bus station, shopping centre, and dual carriageway. However, the response falls short of a fully developed overview. The description is rather informal and contains inaccuracies, such as stating that the main road 'will removed because it can be detrimental for residents', which introduces speculation not supported by the visual data. Key features like the conversion of the central street to pedestrians only and the relocation of housing are only superficially addressed. The lack of a clear, synthesised overview and the inclusion of subjective commentary places this response firmly in the band 5 range.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is divided into three paragraphs, providing a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas lacks clear academic cohesion. The transition between sentences relies heavily on basic conjunctions like 'and' or conversational openings such as 'Basically' and 'Now the Islip town is looking simple'. Cohesive devices are used rather mechanically and repetitively. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of information is somewhat haphazard, mixing general observations with specific future plans without a clear logical flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'These things are common as we can find them in every town', which disrupts the logical development of the response.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, typical of a lower band level. Words like 'simple', 'things', and 'town' are overused. There are noticeable lexical errors, such as 'comparing' used as a noun ('it is a comparing between present and future'), 'padestrians' (spelling error), and awkward phrasing like 'new housing scheme for the upcoming residents'. While the student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary ('bus station', 'shopping centre', 'dual carriageway'), the overall range is limited and inadequate for a sophisticated academic summary, though communication of the basic intent is mostly maintained.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures. The text relies heavily on simple sentences and run-on clauses linked by commas or coordinating conjunctions (e.g., 'there are shops for shopping, shops are situated on both side of the main road, there is a public park...'). Attempts at complex structures frequently result in errors, such as passive voice failures ('will removed') and awkward relative clauses ('the main road which was in the centre of town will removed'). Punctuation and grammatical errors are frequent throughout the text, though they rarely obscure the core meaning entirely.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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