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 that the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its Improvement.

Overall, Islip town center now only few thing in the diagram, while that the planned development map huge changed and several new things added in this map. In current diagram of this town only housing, park, school and shops mainly showned. After that new planned development diagram 5 major changes have showned in this picture.

At the current suitation some things illustrates in this map but new planned development the Islip town center many major improvements. In the previous map a main road was crossing into the town and both sides of this road there are several shops. On the other hand, after the changes of new planned development dual carriageway road around the Islip town center and both sides of this road exit point of this town.

Looking at the maps in more detail, old map west side a school and east side a park also that housing are suitated in the center of school and park. In contrast, the new map every thing is in the middel of this town except school and a housing. Such as, in the north bus station, shopping center, car park and new hosing, but in the south some shopes, housing, new housing and a park.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of Islip town centre now and in the planned development, satisfying the requirements for an overview and comparisons. An overall trend is attempted in the second paragraph, stating that the planned development brings huge changes and several new features. However, some parts of the response are more fully developed than others, and certain details are slightly unclear or under-developed, such as the precise locations of the new housing zones relative to the dual carriageway. The selection of information is generally relevant, covering the main transformations from shops and a straight road to a pedestrianized zone, bus station, shopping centre, and dual carriageway loop, which places the response securely in the band six level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a coherent overall arrangement to the response, with a clear attempt to structure the writing into an introduction, an overview, and detailed body paragraphs. However, cohesion is at times mechanical and faulty. Phrases like 'After that new planned development diagram' and 'At the current suitation' disrupt the smooth progression of ideas. Referencing is also not always clear, with pronouns and transitional phrases struggling to connect sentences fluidly. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal logical flow between sentences often stumbles, preventing the response from reaching a higher band. Improving the variety and accuracy of cohesive devices would significantly enhance the readability and logical progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common terms such as 'development', 'pedestrianized', and 'car park'. However, there are notable inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word formation throughout the text. Examples include 'improvement' instead of 'improvements', 'few thing' instead of 'few things', 'shoured' or 'showhed' instead of 'shown', and 'hosing' instead of 'housing'. Spelling and word-form errors like 'suitation' and 'middel' occur, and while these do not entirely impede communication, they restrict the vocabulary score to the band five range. To progress, the student needs to demonstrate more precision in lexical selection and greater accuracy in word forms and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent errors in verb forms, tense usage, missing articles, and basic sentence construction, such as in 'the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its Improvement' where the clause lacks a main verb. Other issues include missing prepositions and faulty clause structures like 'in current diagram of this town only housing, park, school and shops mainly showned.' Because errors are frequent and often cause strain for the reader, the response sits firmly at the lower end of the grammatical spectrum. Greater attention to basic subject-verb agreement and complete sentence frames is essential.

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