Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-27
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 maps illustrate a small squared shaped town in 2014 and its development plan in the next six years of its completion.
Overall, a comparison of the two maps reveals a complete transformation from a spaced area to a mainly urban area.
In the year 2014, the town was much spaceous and less greener with different buildings such as museum, market, resturants, fountain etc. The place where fish market was located in the year 2014 was replaced by supermarket in 2020. Likewise, history museum, library and fish resturant were converted into bars and resturants. In addition, administrative building was also replaced by shops in the right side of the town area however, fountain and townhall remained the same as in 2014.
Additionally, aear the area of fountain, plant beds, children's playground and covered seating had been newly constructed. There was a small bar in 2014 which had been removed in the following year.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the maps, successfully identifying the transformation of the town square between 2014 and 2020. Key changes, such as the replacement of the fish market with a supermarket and the administrative buildings with shops, are reported accurately. An overview is present at the beginning of the second paragraph, stating that there was a transformation from a spaced area to a mainly urban area. However, some descriptions are slightly imprecise or lack detail, such as grouping multiple separate buildings together as 'bars and resturants' rather than distinguishing the individual layout changes (like the new covered seating, playground, and gallery). Overall, the task is addressed adequately, meriting a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is structured into an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs covering the changes. Logical sequencing is attempted, using transition markers such as 'Overall', 'Likewise', and 'Additionally'. However, paragraphing is somewhat fragmented, with a very brief final paragraph consisting of only two sentences. Cohesive devices are occasionally mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, though the progression of ideas can feel a bit disjointed when moving from building changes to newly constructed amenities. The overall arrangement is coherent enough to follow without difficulty, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with terms like 'transformation', 'supermarket', and 'administrative building' appropriately deployed. However, there are notable spelling errors ('spaceous', 'greener' used where 'greenery' or 'more green space' is intended, 'resturants', 'aear') and awkward word choices like 'spaced area'. The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but frequent spelling slips and limited less common lexical items prevent the score from rising higher. This corresponds to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The place where fish market was located in the year 2014 was replaced by supermarket in 2020.' There are grammatical inaccuracies throughout, including missing articles ('where fish market', 'by supermarket', 'administrative building') and tense confusion in passive structures ('had been newly constructed', 'had been removed'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to detract from grammatical control. This performance aligns with Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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