Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The map illustrate about Islip town centre now locate is very good planning. I will explain map in the following.

In first map shows that a countryside fist build a shops left and right side build a shops. In centre a main road and in centre build a houses and build a park and in corner build a school. Than complete a town centre.

In second map shows that a planned development of Islip town centre. Left side biuld a bus station and than build a shopping centre and than build a car parking. In this opposite build a shops.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response falls significantly short of the required 150-word minimum, containing only 100 words. Consequently, the task is addressed only minimally. The writing attempts to describe the two maps of Islip town centre, mentioning the current layout and some proposed changes such as the new shopping centre, bus station, and car park. However, key features are omitted, there is no overview provided, and comparisons between the 'now' and 'planned development' layouts are not made. To reach a higher band, the student must write at least 150 words, present a clear overview of the main changes, and report all key geographical features systematically.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is some organisation evident as the text is split into paragraphs representing the two maps, beginning with phrases like 'In first map shows that' and 'In second map shows that'. However, information and ideas are not arranged coherently overall, and progression is lacking. Cohesive devices are extremely basic and repetitive, and the text breaks down into isolated descriptive sentences rather than a cohesive summary. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal structure of sentences fails to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next. To improve, the student needs to use a wider range of cohesive ties, logically link sentences, and ensure clear referencing throughout the description.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic, repetitive, and heavily restricted to immediate prompt words like 'shops', 'map', 'town centre', 'park', and 'school'. There is noticeable misuse of word forms and vocabulary choice, such as 'fist build a shops left and right side build a shops' and 'car parking' instead of 'car park'. These lexical limitations and errors frequently strain the reader's understanding. To achieve a higher score, the student must expand their vocabulary range by using less common and more precise terms relevant to map descriptions, such as 'demolished', 'replaced', 'relocated', and 'pedestrianised zone', whilst ensuring correct word choice and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, relying heavily on simple, highly flawed sentence structures. There is a complete absence of accurate complex structures. Frequent errors distort meaning and impede communication, including missing articles ('The map illustrate'), incorrect verb forms ('The map illustrate about', 'fist build', 'biuld'), and poor clause integration ('The map illustrate about Islip town centre now locate is very good planning'). Punctuation and sentence boundaries are also poorly managed. To progress, the student needs to demonstrate control over basic sentence patterns, master subject-verb agreement, improve verb tense consistency, and incorporate error-free complex sentences.

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

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