Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows a town square and surrounding area in 2014 and the plans for development of the area to be completed by 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The diagrams show how the town square and the surrounding area looked in 2014 and the planned changes to be completed by 2020.

Overall, the town square is expected to become a more modern and attractive public place. Several old buildings will be replaced by new facilities, while more shops, restaurants and recreational areas will be added. However, the town hall and the fountain will remain in the same locations.

In 2014, the northern side of the square contained a fish market on the left and the town hall on the right. There was a history museum and a library along the western side, while the eastern side was occupied by administrative buildings. At the bottom of the map, there was a fish restaurant and a bar. In the centre of the square, there was a bandstand and a fountain.

By 2020, several major developments will have taken place. The fish market will be converted into a supermarket, while the history museum will become a local artists' gallery. The administrative buildings on the eastern side will be replaced with a row of shops. In addition, the library, fish restaurant, and bar will be replaced by bars and restaurants.

The central area will also be improved. The bandstand will be removed and replaced with plant beds. A children's playground and covered seating areas will be added near the fountain, which will remain unchanged. These changes are designed to make the town square more suitable for shopping, dining and leisure activities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends and successfully identified the key changes between 2014 and 2020. The selection of information is logical, and you have made effective comparisons, such as noting that the town hall and fountain remain unchanged while other areas are repurposed. The development of ideas is consistent, and the report is well-structured to highlight the transformation of the town square. You have successfully met the requirements of the prompt by summarizing the main features accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the overview to the 2014 layout, then the 2020 developments, and finally the central area improvements. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In 2014', 'By 2020', 'In addition', and 'However', which help the reader follow the narrative of the changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring a smooth flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a task describing maps and development plans. Phrases like 'converted into', 'replaced with', and 'recreational areas' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. While the range is sufficient and flexible, there is room to incorporate slightly more sophisticated or academic collocations to reach the highest band, but the current usage is natural and error-free in terms of word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response shows a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions ('will be replaced', 'will be converted') and future perfect forms ('will have taken place'), which are highly appropriate for describing future plans. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the sentence structures are varied and sophisticated.

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