Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-26

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 illustrate the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now and plans for its development.

Overall, it is evident that two different perspective of maps are shown; one map showing the picture and area of the nowadays town and other one was about the future planned development centre with the advanced setting.

In the beginning, the map of now town have two shops in two multiple poles north and south, while main road was between outlit. However there was also a park near to the hosuing area. The facility of school for children were also there.

In contrast,the structure of planned development as shown in image is looking aesthetic or well managed. There was each and every facility available in that map for instance; shopping centre,New hosuing system,park additionally there was also car parking and bus station management availablity. In the south pole near the dual carriageway school for children were also available beside it another housing area was also present according to the public needs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the two maps and mention several relevant features, including shops, the main road, the park, school, shopping centre, new housing, car park and bus station. However, the response only partially reports the changes: it does not explain the key transformation of the main road into a pedestrian-only street or the dual-carriageway loop, and it gives little precise comparison of what is retained, replaced or relocated. The overview is also unclear: describing the maps as showing “two different perspective” and an “advanced setting” does not summarise the main changes. Some details are inaccurate or vague, such as saying there are “two shops in two multiple poles.” Focus on the major spatial changes and state them clearly in an overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the present and planned layouts. This gives the reader a basic route through the information, and “In contrast” signals a shift to the future plan. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and several details are listed without showing their locations or relationships. The overview does not effectively connect the two maps, while “In the beginning” is an awkward transition for describing the current map. Some linking is mechanical, particularly “for instance” followed by a list. Organise the body by areas or by major changes, and use clear location-based links such as “to the north of” and “whereas” to make comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “main road,” “park,” “dual carriageway,” “shopping centre” and “bus station,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the description difficult to interpret. For example, “two multiple poles” does not clearly describe the two rows of shops, and “advanced setting” and “looking aesthetic” are not suitable ways to report planned urban changes. Spelling errors such as “hosuing” and “availablity” also reduce accuracy. Build a bank of precise terms for map locations and changes, such as “north of,” “replaced by,” “retained” and “converted into,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including the contrast introduced by “while” and the example introduced by “for instance.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure, tense, agreement and articles sometimes make the meaning unclear. Examples include “two different perspective of maps are shown,” “the map of now town have,” and “school for children were also there.” The sentence beginning “In contrast,the structure…” also needs clearer punctuation and a more controlled construction. Practise describing map features with accurate present and future forms, for example, “The shops are located on both sides of the main road” and “The road will be converted into a pedestrian-only street.” This will help you express comparisons more reliably.

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.