Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-17

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 maps illustreate changes the hub of a little town its name is Islip, condtion of present, and plans after its renovation.

overall, initialy it was a simple map with appropriate facilities like unurban areas, while scheme of making it fascinated location by making

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5

The response identifies the subject as Islip’s present centre and a planned renovation, and it begins an overview by contrasting the current layout with the proposed scheme. However, it does not report the main changes shown on the maps: for example, the pedestrian-only street, the dual-carriageway loop, or the replacement of northern shops with a bus station, shopping centre and car park. The phrase “unurban areas” does not accurately describe the map’s countryside and existing facilities. The response is also far below the required 150 words, leaving the task substantially incomplete. To improve, give a clear overview of the major transformation, then describe the key northern and southern changes with accurate locations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence introduces the maps, followed by a paragraph beginning “overall” that appears intended as an overview. This gives the reader a minimal sense of progression. However, the second paragraph ends abruptly at “by making”, so the central idea is unfinished and the relationship between the present layout and the plan is never explained. There is no developed sequence of details or comparison, and the paragraphing does not support a complete summary. Use a complete overview first, then group details by area—for example, changes north of the central street and changes to the south—and connect them with clear comparison markers such as “whereas” and “in contrast”.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response attempts some task-appropriate vocabulary, including “maps”, “hub”, “facilities”, “plans” and “renovation”, and “simple” conveys a broad impression of the current layout. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “hub of a little town” is less suitable than “centre of a small town”, and “unurban areas” does not clearly express the countryside shown. “Fascinated location” is also not an appropriate description of a planned development. Spelling errors such as “illustreate” and “condtion” further reduce control. Build a more precise map vocabulary, using terms such as “pedestrianised street”, “dual carriageway” and “new housing”, and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response shows an attempt to form both a longer introductory sentence and a separate overview, but grammatical control is limited and the second sentence is incomplete. In “The maps illustreate changes the hub of a little town its name is Islip,” the relationship between “changes” and “the hub” is not expressed correctly, and the clauses are joined without suitable punctuation or a linking structure. “condtion of present” and “while scheme of making it fascinated location” also lack the grammatical framing needed to make their meanings clear. Use complete sentences with accurate articles and prepositions, for example, “The maps illustrate changes to the centre of Islip, a small town.” Then ensure each sentence has a clear subject and verb and is finished before moving to the next idea.

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