Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-05
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 maps below illustrate the information about the center of the small town which known as Islip as it is now, and plans for its better development.
In present time, there is the big park in the center and many shops in the center the shops are located between the main road and many other housing homes where the people live there is an big school for the town students with many facilities in it . The other side is the countryside where there is no house and no people living in this area .
After the development , there is one section of bus station , shopping center , and the car park area in it . There is an new portion for the housing and the special shops for the pedestrians only . There is an development in the dual carriageway . There is an school in the end of the town which has a better development in it .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response addresses the task only partially, presenting a very basic summary of the two maps without fully covering all main features or making sufficient relevant comparisons. The writer attempts to describe the current layout and the proposed developments, but the reporting of features contains significant inaccuracies and omissions regarding the visual data. For instance, the student states that there is a 'big park in the center' currently, whereas the maps show the park located to the east. Additionally, key changes such as the introduction of the dual carriageway and the replacement of the northern shops with a bus station, shopping centre, and car park are either missed or described in a very generalised and unclear manner. To reach a higher level, the response needs to select and report the key spatial transformations more accurately and provide a clear, overarching overview of the town's development.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
There is some organisation present in the response, separating the current map from the future plans, but there is no clear overall progression. The writing is divided into three brief paragraphs, yet the sequencing of information within them feels disjointed and lacks logical flow. Cohesive devices are used minimally and somewhat inaccurately, such as transitioning with 'In present time' and 'After the development', but referencing and linking between sentences are weak. For example, expressions like 'The other side is the countryside' do not anchor the spatial relationships clearly. To improve, the student should ensure that ideas follow a logical sequence, use a wider and more accurate range of cohesive devices to connect sentences smoothly, and employ paragraphing more purposefully to group related map features.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and basic, restricting the ability to describe the maps with precision. The student relies on repetitive phrasing such as 'in the center', 'there is an', and 'housing homes'. While there are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'development' and 'pedestrians only', these are offset by inappropriate word choices and word-form errors, including 'In present time' instead of 'At present' and 'an new portion' where the indefinite article is misused. Spelling is generally acceptable, but vocabulary limitations and awkward collocations mean the lexical range is only minimally adequate for the task. To achieve a higher score, the writer needs to incorporate a more varied and precise range of vocabulary related to urban planning and spatial changes, avoiding repetitive patterns.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mainly of simple sentences and repetitive existential clauses introduced by 'there is' or 'there are'. When the student attempts more complex structures, errors appear frequently. There are noticeable grammatical inaccuracies throughout the text, including article misuse ('an big park', 'an new portion'), subject-verb agreement issues ('the shops are located... where the people live there is an big school'), and redundant phrasing ('which known as Islip'). Punctuation is basic, and sentences can feel run-on or awkwardly constructed. To progress, the writer must expand their repertoire of sentence structures, incorporating accurate complex clauses while simultaneously improving control over basic grammar such as articles and prepositions.
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