Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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 8.0)

The two maps illustrates the current infrastructure of Lslip town centre alongside proposed development plans for its modernization.

Overall, the projected to undergo a dramatic transformation, shifiting from a linear, vehicle dominated layout into a highly pedestrianized hub.

Currently, the town centres around a singular main road that runs from west to east, allowing regular vehicle traffic directly past the shops. According to the development plan, the central section of this main road will be entirely pedestrianized, restricting car access. To accomodate vehicular traffic,a new peripheral dual carriageway will be con structed to encircle the main town centre entirely, connecting the existing side roads and redirecting traffic through the current countryside area.

In terms of commercial changes, the row of shops located on the south side of the main road will remain completely unaltered. Conversely, the shops on the north side are schedule for demolition . In their place a large modern shopping centre will be built, flanked by a new bus station to its west and dedicated public car park to its east. furthermore, the empty countryside area situated further north will be developed into a new residential housing estate, which will connect directly to the newly formed ring road.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student provides a clear and well-developed overview of the changes, noting the shift from a vehicle-dominated layout to a pedestrianised hub. All key features are addressed, including the pedestrianisation of the main road, the construction of the new dual carriageway encircling the town, and the replacement of the northern shops with a shopping centre, bus station, and car park. Furthermore, the expansion of housing into the former countryside area and the retention of the southern shops are accurately reported. The response is fully grounded in the provided visual data with no significant omissions or misinterpretations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response is logically sequenced, moving smoothly from a general introduction and overview to specific spatial and commercial changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the overall transformation from the detailed infrastructural and commercial alterations. Cohesive devices such as 'Currently', 'According to the development plan', 'In terms of commercial changes', and 'Conversely' are deployed effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a seamless and coherent reading experience.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary suitable for describing maps and town planning, using terms such as 'infrastructure', 'modernization', 'pedestrianized hub', 'peripheral dual carriageway', 'encircle', and 'demolition'. There are a few minor lexical slips, such as spelling 'shifiting' and 'accomodate', and a slight typographical error with 'con structed', but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, justifying a solid Band 7.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

A good variety of complex structures is successfully utilised, such as participial phrases ('allowing regular vehicle traffic directly past the shops', 'flanked by a new bus station') and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over complex grammar is strong. Minor punctuation and spacing errors are present, such as missing spaces after commas ('traffic,a new'), but these are rare slips rather than systematic weaknesses, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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