Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-20

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 below provides information about the layout of both the current islip town center as well as its development plans.

Overall the area becomes more developed especially the shopping area in the north whereas the countryside will disappear so that a dual carriageway will take its place.

In the first map there is only a countryside in the farth north , shops on the either side of the main road. On the south side there is a few houses scattered as well as school on the west south of the map also there is a big park that can be accessed through the primary road.

In contrast in the development blueprint the main road will be replaced by a dual carriageway

that circle around the whole town center also the shopping area is more prominent up north with a bus station, a shopping center, a car park and also new available houses . Furthermore the main road from the previous map has been replaced by a road for only pedestrians. In addition the south region has been made more outlined with a new residential building however the size of the park decreased significantly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main transformation: the town becomes more developed, the northern area gains transport and shopping facilities, and the central street becomes pedestrian-only. You also note the reduced park and mention housing and the school. These are relevant features and give the response a clear overall direction. However, some details are inaccurate or too general: the dual carriageway forms a loop around the centre rather than simply replacing the main road, and the countryside is not explicitly shown as disappearing. The southern changes are also only briefly described; specify that the existing southern shops remain, while new housing is added and the park is reduced. More precise comparisons of what stays, changes, and is added would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a description of the current map, and a comparison with the plan. This helps the reader follow the broad contrast between the two maps. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, particularly in the long sentence beginning “In the first map,” where several locations and features are joined together. The final paragraph also strings changes together with “also,” “Furthermore,” and “In addition,” making the links feel mechanical rather than showing how the features relate spatially. Use clearer grouping, such as describing the northern and southern areas separately, and make references like “the main road” precise when distinguishing the pedestrian street from the outer carriageway.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of map-related vocabulary, including “layout,” “development plans,” “dual carriageway,” “accessed,” and “decreased significantly.” These choices communicate several important changes. However, some wording is imprecise or unnatural for describing a plan: “new available houses” and “new residential building” do not clearly convey the planned new-housing area, while “more outlined” is difficult to interpret. There are also spelling and form slips, including “islip” and “center,” and some repetition of “main road” and “shopping area.” Aim for precise location and change vocabulary, such as “to the north of,” “is replaced by,” and “is retained,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons introduced by “In contrast” and clauses describing how the town will change. However, errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “The maps below provides” should use a plural verb, and “there is a few houses” needs a plural construction. The sentence beginning “In the first map” runs several ideas together without clear punctuation, while “the main road will be replaced by a dual carriageway that circle” has an agreement error and an unclear relationship between the roads. Practise accurate present-tense descriptions of the existing map and consistent future forms for the plan, using shorter, well-punctuated sentences alongside complex ones.

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