Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-25
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 5.5)
The given diagram illustrate the comparison of town square and surrounding area in 2014 with the development strategy of the town square to be finished by 2020.
Overall, fountain and town hall found at the same location but fish market replaced with supermarket and fish restaurant and bar replaced with bars and restaurants.
As is shown in the illustration, history museum replaced with artists gallery and bars and restaurants took place of library and fish restaurant. however, fountain and town hall found at the same place but bandstand removed and new plant bads cover this area north side of central fountain.
On the other hand, some new places added inside the town beside central fountain. One is children's playground quite near the right side of the fountain and covered seating added at the south side of the fountain. while, the administrative buildings replaced with five new shops at the south side of the map.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully identifies the main changes between 2014 and the 2020 development plans, noting key transformations such as the replacement of the fish market with a supermarket and the administrative buildings with shops. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, capturing some major constants and shifts like the town hall and fountain remaining in place. However, the response lacks a clear, well-structured overall trend summary at the beginning or end, and some spatial relationships are described rather simplistically. While the main features are reported, the development of ideas is somewhat mechanical, leading to a Band 6 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement, moving logically through the features of the map comparisons. However, paragraphing is weak; the response is compressed into a short introduction and three block paragraphs without proper structural separation of spatial zones. Cohesive devices are repetitive and occasionally awkward, such as starting multiple sentences with 'As is shown' or 'On the other hand', and the linking between sentences can be mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of sophisticated cohesive progression places this at a Band 5.5, rounded to 6.0 based on clear overall organisation.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a map, incorporating terms like 'supermarket', 'administrative buildings', 'bandstand', and 'covered seating'. There are noticeable spelling errors, such as 'bads' instead of 'beds' and missing articles throughout the text. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success and some awkward word choices, such as 'took place of' instead of 'took the place of'. While communication is not severely impeded, the frequency of lexical and spelling slips restricts the score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though grammatical accuracy is weak. There are frequent missing auxiliary verbs and articles, such as in 'The given diagram illustrate' (should be 'illustrates'), 'fountain and town hall found' (should be 'the fountain and town hall are found'), and 'history museum replaced with' (should be 'the history museum was replaced'). Punctuation is also neglected, with lowercase beginnings to sentences and missing terminal punctuation. These recurring structural and grammatical errors frequently interrupt the flow, aligning with the Band 5 descriptor.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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