Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-20

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 provided maps illustrate the layout of a town square and its adjacent regions in 2014, alongside the proposed redevelopment plans for 2020.

Overall, the comparison is established between 2014 constructed town square and 2020 constructed town square. Some major changes ae added in the redeveloped map.

First of all, in 2014 town square map, in the east of map history museum and library is present, while fish market is adjacent to history museum and opposite to fish market fish restaurant is available. However in the centre of site plan fountain exists.

In contrast, in 2020 town square map, the fish market is changed into supermarket, while history museum is converted into local artist gallery. Moreover, administration buildings transformed into multiple shops. However, in the centre of site children's playground is made in the new map. Several seatings are added in the centre for sitting purposes. Plants were also grown in the centre of 2020 map plan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the fish market becoming a supermarket, the history museum becoming a local artists’ gallery, and the administrative buildings being replaced by shops. However, the overview is unclear: “Some major changes ae added” does not summarise the overall direction of redevelopment. There are also significant location errors. The history museum and library were on the western side, not the east, and the playground is east of the fountain rather than at its centre; the fountain itself remains central. The response also misses key features such as the new plant beds and the conversion of the southern buildings into bars and restaurants. Select the main changes accurately and give a clear overview before describing details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to descriptions of 2014 and 2020. Phrases such as “In contrast” help signal the comparison, and the main changes are grouped by time period. However, progression is weakened by unclear or contradictory links, particularly “opposite to fish market fish restaurant,” which makes the locations difficult to follow. “However” is also used where a contrast is not clearly established, and the final details about seating and plants feel added without a clear spatial sequence. Organise each period from north to south or from the centre outward, and use linking words only when their relationship is accurate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “adjacent,” “converted into,” “transformed,” and “multiple shops,” which helps communicate the redevelopment. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “constructed town square,” “major changes ae added,” and “seatings … for sitting purposes.” “Adjacent” and “opposite” are also used in a way that makes the locations confusing. Aim for precise terms for map features and changes, such as “located,” “replaced,” and “divided into units.” Check spelling and word forms, and avoid repeating “map” and “centre” when a more specific description would make the account clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast clause beginning “while” and a sentence starting “In contrast.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in sentence structure and grammatical control occur in several places. For example, “history museum and library is present” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “in the east of map” is missing an article and has an awkward prepositional construction. The sentence beginning “Overall” is also difficult to interpret because its comparison is not expressed clearly. Practise accurate articles, agreement, and complete sentence patterns, and proofread punctuation and spacing. More controlled complex sentences would improve clarity.

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