Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-09

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 6.5)

The diagrams depict the current state of a small town named Islip and plans for its future development.

Overall, the Islip town centre is undergone significant development, with the construction of dual carriageway around the centre and the replacement of main road with a pedestrians road only. In addition, several new amenities and housing areas are excepted to be added.

To begin with, at present the main road runs through the centre and shops located on both sides. Under this plan, this road will be converted into a pedestrian-only area, whereas a dual carriageway will be built around the town centre. The shops in the north main road will be replaced by a bus station, a shopping centre, a car park and new housing.

On the other hand, to the south side of the road, some of the existing housing will remain on same location., while additional housing will be constructed on the eastern part of the town. Similarly, the park will remained the same, although it will be smaller. Meanwhile, the school and the housing area to the south of the town centre will stay unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response gives a clear overview of the main changes: a dual carriageway will encircle the centre, the central road will become pedestrian-only, and new facilities and housing are planned. It also compares the northern and southern sides and correctly notes that the school and southern housing remain. These points address the task well. However, some details are inaccurate or too general. The northern shops are replaced by a bus station, shopping centre and car park, while the new housing is northeast of the car park; the response groups all four developments together as replacements. It also says the park will remain the same, although it will be smaller, and does not mention that the southern shops remain. More precise reporting of these distinctions would strengthen an otherwise clear summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs, with a generally clear progression from the overall plan to changes north and south of the central road. Linking expressions such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand” and “Meanwhile” help signal the sequence. The contrast marker “On the other hand” is not quite apt here, however, because the paragraph continues describing another set of planned changes rather than presenting an opposing view. The final paragraph also combines several southern features without clearly distinguishing what remains from what changes. More precise spatial grouping and reference—for example, separating the retained southern shops, housing, new housing and reduced park—would make the relationships easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses an adequate range of map-related vocabulary, including “dual carriageway,” “pedestrian-only area,” “amenities” and “replaced,” and the main changes are generally understandable. There are, however, several inaccurate word choices or collocations that reduce precision. “The Islip town centre is undergone” is not a natural way to describe a planned change, while “excepted to be added” appears to mean “expected to be added.” “The park will remained the same” also uses an unsuitable form and conflicts with the intended meaning that it will be reduced in size. In addition, “housing areas” is broad where the map distinguishes existing housing from new housing. Choose precise planning vocabulary and check word forms and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a clear contrast in “the road will be converted … whereas a dual carriageway will be built.” Most sentences communicate the intended changes, but some grammatical errors remain. In the overview, “the town centre is undergone” has an incorrect verb construction; use “will undergo” or “is undergoing.” In “some of the existing housing will remain on same location,” the article is missing before “same location.” The sentence ending “location.,” contains faulty punctuation, and “the park will remained” uses the wrong verb form after “will.” These errors do not generally prevent understanding, but more reliable control of verb forms, articles and punctuation is needed. Proofreading each sentence for its main verb and punctuation would help.

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.