Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given map shows the infrastructure of islip town centre of small town now and how it looks after devlopment.
Overall, it can be seen that there were a lot of changes come after development and major change is that main road all around the centre and also new housings added in centre.
Looking at the present structure in more details, first of all shops and countryside is located in the north and after crossing the main road some markets are placed. Furthermore, some housing is located in the centre of the centre and and some houses placed in the south. Park is located in the east and school is placed in the south-west.
Moreover, development planned is that, bus station, shopping, centre and new housing placed in order in the north. In addition, park is at the same place as now but decrease in size and school is also at the same place.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The candidate addresses the main features of the maps, noting the replacement of the main road with a dual carriageway loop and pedestrianised centre, alongside changes to shops, housing, and the park. However, the overview is rather simplistic and contains vague phrasing like 'a lot of changes come after development'. Key spatial relationships and changes—such as the conversion of northern shops into a bus station, shopping centre, and car park—are described in a somewhat disjointed manner. The selection of information is generally relevant, but the lack of precise detail and a more fully developed comparison place this response at Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is organised into four paragraphs with a basic introduction, overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the present and planned structures. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often repetitive or mechanical, such as 'Looking at the present structure in more details, first of all...', 'Furthermore...', and 'Moreover...'. Paragraphing is attempted, but paragraph boundaries and logical progression could be smoother. There are instances where referencing is slightly unclear, and overall cohesion feels somewhat disjointed, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple terms like 'placed', 'located', and 'changes'. There are also vocabulary errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'new housings' (housing is uncountable) and 'decrease in size' instead of a passive or adjectival form describing the reduced park. While the lexical range is adequate to convey basic information, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The text displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple and awkwardly joined compound sentences. There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions throughout the response, including 'islip town centre of small town now', 'changes come after development', and 'development planned is that, bus station, shopping, centre and new housing placed in order'. Punctuation is also erratic in places, such as unnecessary commas splitting verb phrases. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader, aligning with Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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