Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The maps illustrate the Islip which is small town and planning for development.

overall, the maps presenting the picture of Islip now and planning for development. Significantly we see in planning there is more efficient than other. Moreover, Life of Standart are becoming more easier. There developing new housing, Shopping center, Bus Station,Parking which is absent now.

Islip town now, have a big park after developing it will small, new housing will build , Shopping center bus station , car parking area, Roads are developing which is clam a standard life style.

one noticeable things the main road are absence in developing map and it is replace with pedestrians. School will bigger then before.Shops are steady same at this point. Also, missing the countryside point which is noticeable. In north east and South east point is significantly changes. Main Road is absnce which is need to added. Bus Station is good point in that place.

Islip town development make changes according to necessity of people.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion4.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.0
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the changes shown in the maps, mentioning key elements such as the new housing, shopping centre, bus station, and the pedestrianisation of the main road. However, the information is presented in a very disjointed and somewhat confusing manner (e.g., stating 'School will bigger then before' when the school remains unchanged outside the loop). The overview lacks clarity and fails to fully synthesise the main trends and overall transformations. Furthermore, some details are misread or inaccurately described. Consequently, the response addresses the task only partially, aligning with the Band 5 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The essay lacks clear logical organisation and progression. Paragraphing is weak, with short, disconnected sentences that fail to build a coherent narrative. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused (e.g., starting sentences abruptly with 'Moreover' or 'one noticeable things'). There is no clear overall progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion, making the flow difficult to follow. Referencing is also faulty at times, leading to confusion about which map features are being discussed. This fits the Band 4 to Band 5 profile, leaning toward Band 4 due to the lack of logical structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive (e.g., 'developing', 'housing', 'Shopping center', 'Bus Station'). There are frequent word-formation and word-choice errors, such as 'Life of Standart are becoming more easier' and 'Roads are developing which is clam a standard life style'. Less common lexical items are attempted but generally used inaccurately or inappropriately. Spelling errors also occur ('absnce'). The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for conveying very simple ideas, which places it firmly in the Band 5 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The essay displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at complex structures are almost invariably faulty (e.g., 'The maps illustrate the Islip which is small town and planning for development'). There are frequent, noticeable errors in basic grammar, subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the main road are absence'), and punctuation. These errors often cause difficulty for the reader and obscure the intended meaning. This matches the characteristics of Band 4.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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