Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-11

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 supplied map diagram demonstrates how the mid of a small town which is known as lslip looks these days, and also a stratgy for its dewelopment. looking at the overall picture, it is evident that it will become more advanse with numerious extensions, and it also introduce many slots for the demands which will come in future.

lslip town centre now, it has only one school in south west corner, while it also has one park at right corner. similarly, it also has area for housing in center and at bottom. furthermore, it also has shome shops besides the main road.

lslip development plan, it will remove countryside place, it will convert into the bus station, shopping centre, car park and new housing. however, the main road will expand into the dual carriageway. although the area of school will remain same on the similar place, the area of park will be reduce. likewise, the housing will remain same, but it will also introduce new housing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the maps as showing Islip now and after development, and your overview correctly notes that the town will gain new facilities and housing while the park becomes smaller. You also report several relevant changes, including the bus station, shopping centre, car park and dual carriageway. However, some important details are missing or unclear: the central road will become pedestrian-only, the southern shops remain, and the new dual carriageway forms a loop around the centre. The claim that the countryside will be converted into all the listed facilities is also imprecise, since these replace the northern shops and occupy nearby areas. Develop the comparisons more precisely, including which features remain and where they are located.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the present town and the proposed plan. This gives the reader a basic progression, and linking expressions such as “furthermore,” “however” and “likewise” help connect points. To make the organisation more effective, group related changes and compare the same areas across the two maps rather than listing features in broad terms. Some transitions are mechanical or do not clearly express the relationship between ideas; for example, “although the area of school will remain same … the area of park will be reduce” joins two separate comparisons awkwardly. Clearer paragraphing and more precise referencing would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “dual carriageway,” “bus station,” “shopping centre” and “new housing,” so the reader can identify several planned features. However, the range is limited and a number of spelling and word-choice errors make the description less clear, such as “stratgy,” “dewelopment,” “advanse” and “shome shops.” Some phrases are also unnatural for describing maps: “slots for the demands” and “at right corner” do not communicate the intended meaning precisely. Aim for accurate, conventional terms such as “facilities,” “to the east” and “shops along the road.” Proofreading spelling and choosing precise location vocabulary would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, using contrast clauses such as “although” and “while.” However, control is uneven, and errors in verb forms, articles and sentence construction occur in several places. For example, “it will also introduce many slots” has an unclear subject, while “the area of park will be reduce” needs a correctly formed passive construction. The sentence beginning “Islip town centre now, it has…” also uses an awkward sentence pattern, and “the housing will remain same” is missing an article. Practise writing direct comparison sentences with a clear subject and consistent tense, such as “The park will be reduced in size, while the school will remain in its current location.”

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