Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-29
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 5.5)
The map illustrate the current and the planned development of the centre of a small town called Islip in the upcoming years.
Overall, it is crystal clear that there will be huge changes in the development of the town, some locations will be demolished like countryside and some of will be replaced or moved to different locations. Many more facilties like bus station, shopping centre, etc will be available for the resdentials.
At a fleeting glance, Main road will be converted to pedestrians only, main road be divided into two directions left and right, in between there will be shops, stations, crossing that it will be merged to single road in the opposite direction. Shops in the north of the main road will be removed and new buildings will be established, bus station in the west corner, shopping centre and car park in the middle.
Moving ahead, new housing is constructed alonside with park, also in the east side new housing along with a single road leading to main road. Dual carriageway will be introduced in west-side next to road. Park area may reduced in the upcoming years.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers the main changes shown in the maps, such as the introduction of the dual carriageway, the pedestrianisation of the main road, and the replacement of the northern shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning that some locations will be demolished or replaced. However, the response lacks a fully cohesive comparison of the overall layout, and some details are imprecise or slightly confused in their spatial references, such as describing the dual carriageway as being introduced in the west side next to the road. This places the response at Band 6.0 for addressing all parts of the task, though some features are under-developed or lack complete clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific changes. However, the progression between ideas is sometimes abrupt or mechanical, using transitional phrases like 'At a fleeting glance' and 'Moving ahead' somewhat awkwardly. Referencing and cohesive devices are occasionally faulty, such as 'some of will be replaced' and incomplete clause structures like 'crossing that it will be merged to single road'. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion requires better linking to achieve a smoother flow, fitting the Band 5.5 to 6.0 profile. A score of 6.0 is appropriate here.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to map analysis, including terms like 'demolished', 'pedestrians only', 'dual carriageway', and 'shopping centre'. However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'resdentials' (residents), 'facilties' (facilities), and 'park area may reduced' (may be reduced). While the vocabulary is adequate to convey the general message, these errors and spelling mistakes prevent the response from reaching Band 7.0. It sits comfortably at Band 6.0 for attempting less common vocabulary with occasional inaccuracies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures throughout the text, such as 'The map illustrate' (maps illustrate), 'some of will be replaced', 'main road be divided', and 'new housing is constructed alonside with park'. Punctuation is also sparse, leading to run-on constructions like 'crossing that it will be merged to single road'. Because simple sentences are often accurate while complex attempts contain frequent errors that slightly hinder comprehension, a score of 5.5 is warranted.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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