Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-02

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 maps illustrate the proposed redevelopement plan of a small town called islip.

Overall, it is clear that, lot of changes will take place. Beginning with refurbishment of old buldings and culminating in construction of new infrastructure.

firstly, In the north-east location, number of shops have changed from the above side of the main road, instead a bus station will be contructed there. Addirionally, a new shopping centre will be erected next to the bus station. Therefore, a car park has been arranged for the convenient parking, also new housing area will be developed side by the car park. Moreover, main road has switched by pedestrains route, east-south shops located opposite side of the road remained the untouched.

Lastly, School infrastructure stayed at the same place, while park has been moved from the bottom to next to housing, house area has been reduced

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task partially, as it attempts to summarise the main features of the maps, but the overall length requirement is not met, falling slightly short of the 150-word minimum. While there is an attempt at an overview, it is overly brief and somewhat vague. Some features are described, such as the changes in the northern shops and the addition of a bus station and shopping centre, but the descriptions lack full development and clarity. Certain spatial relationships and comparisons between the current layout and planned development are omitted or described insufficiently, which keeps the response at this level. To reach a higher standard, the writer must ensure the minimum word count is met, provide a clearer overview of the most striking changes, and extend the description of key spatial features across both maps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some organisation in the response, beginning with an introductory sentence and attempting to sequence details using transition words like 'firstly' and 'lastly'. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the paragraphing is fragmented, with single-sentence paragraphs disrupting the flow. Cohesive devices are sometimes inaccurate or awkward, such as 'Beginning with refurbishment... culminating in construction', which does not connect logically within the sentence structure. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow the precise location of changes. To improve, the writer should group related information into cohesive, well-developed paragraphs and use a wider, more accurate range of linking words to guide the reader smoothly through the spatial comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate to convey the basic changes, featuring words like 'refurbishment', 'infrastructure', and 'pedestrians route'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, spelling, and word formation, such as 'redevelopement', 'islip', 'buldings', 'contructed', 'Addirionally', and 'pedestrains'. These slips and awkward collocations, such as 'main road has switched by pedestrains route', cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a restricted control of lexical features. A higher band would require a broader and more precise vocabulary range, correct spelling, and appropriate collocations to describe maps and urban development naturally and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer uses a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences and basic compound forms. Attempts at more complex structures are often faulty, featuring frequent grammatical errors such as missing articles ('number of shops', 'car park has been arranged for convenient parking'), incorrect prepositions ('in the north-east location', 'side by the car park'), and run-on structures or comma splices. Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent, as seen in lowercase town names and misuse of commas before dependent clauses. These frequent errors across basic and complex patterns cause strain for the reader. To achieve a better band, the writer needs to demonstrate a greater variety of complex sentence forms with improved control over grammar, articles, and punctuation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.