Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The given diagram depicts the centre of a small town called islip and a restructuring map showing the planned developement.

Overall, the present map shows a simple structure with ordinary and basic facilities, while the future developemnt plan illustrates a modern level of infrastructure with more facilities and modernization.

The current map shows a main road streching from west-east, with rows of shops on either side. Moreover, towards the north, is the countrside and towards the south are the housings. The main road is forked at two point; one forking is at the initial point and another at the end of the road. The initial forking is towards the south, leading to a school and the later leads to a park on the same side.

The future development plan has alot of modernization which will completely change the small town. The main road will no longer runs in the center but around it, for a dual carriageway. The infrastructure will be updated with a bus station, shopping centre, car park and a new housing lined towards the north. Towards the west-east, the pedestrian lane will run along a row of shops in the middle of the town. Then, towards the southern side, more housing buildings with a small park on the eastern corner will be constructed. Also, there will be a school and housing across the dual carriagway.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the current map of Islip town centre with the planned development. An overview is provided, highlighting the transition from a simple, basic layout to a modernized infrastructure. Key features are reported, such as the replacement of shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park, and the introduction of a dual carriageway loop and a pedestrianized central street. However, there are minor omissions and slight misinterpretations of spatial relationships, such as describing the dual carriageway as running 'around' the centre rather than forming a complete loop. Despite these minor flaws, the main features and comparisons are clearly articulated, earning a solid Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory overview paragraph, followed by a body paragraph describing the current map, and a final body paragraph detailing the future development plan. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages of the visual data. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Moreover', and 'Then' are utilized to guide the reader through the comparison, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional awkward phrasing affects the flow. Overall, the organizational structure meets the criteria for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an Academic Task 1 response, using terms such as 'restructuring', 'modernization', 'infrastructure', 'pedestrian lane', and 'dual carriageway'. However, there are several spelling errors throughout the text (e.g., 'islip', 'developement', 'developemnt', 'countrside', 'housings', 'carriagway') and instances of inaccurate word formation or collocation, such as 'alot of modernization' and 'lined towards the north'. While less common vocabulary is attempted, these persistent mechanical and lexical errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and conditional future structures like 'The main road will no longer runs in the center'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are noticeable errors in verb forms and subject-verb agreement, such as 'The main road streching', 'housings' (as an uncountable plural), and 'will no longer runs'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but structural control slips in places. Because errors in grammar are frequent enough to occasionally distract the reader, this performance aligns with Band 6.0.

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