Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-31

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)

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Model Answer

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NP

Task Prompt

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.

Screenshot 2026-06-22 at 12.20.21 PM.png

Model Answer

249 words

Word Choice: 1

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 8.0

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the town square in 2014 and the proposed developments for 2020. The overview effectively highlights the shift toward a more modern, leisure-oriented space while noting the elements that remain unchanged, such as the town hall and fountain. You have successfully selected key information and made relevant comparisons, such as the conversion of the fish market into a supermarket and the replacement of administrative buildings with shops. The response is well-structured and fully addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear and accurate summary of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the 2014 state, and the 2020 developments. Cohesive devices such as 'In 2014', 'By 2020', 'In addition', and 'However' are used naturally to guide the reader through the changes. The referencing is precise, and the information flows smoothly from one section to the next. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure is highly coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the task. Phrases like 'converted into', 'replaced with', 'recreational areas', and 'leisure activities' show a good command of topic-specific language. The word choices are precise and contribute to a natural, professional tone. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of accuracy throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use future perfect passive constructions ('will have taken place') and future passive forms ('will be converted', 'will be removed') to describe the planned developments. Sentence structures are varied, combining simple and complex sentences seamlessly. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent and sophisticated.

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