Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The two maps below show road access to a city hospital in 2007 and 2010.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons wherever relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

The two maps illustrate the changes in road access to a city hospital in 2007 and 2010.

Overall, the road system around the hospital was significantly improved. The main changes were the construction of two roundabouts, the introduction of a new bus station, and the division of the car park into separate areas for staff and the public.

In 2007, the hospital was surrounded by a ring road, which was connected to City Road by two junctions on the east and west sides. There were also two bus stops located directly outside the hospital, one on each side of Hospital Road. A single car park was situated to the south of the hospital, and it was available for both staff and the public.

By 2010, the road system around the hospital had been considerably improved. Two roundabouts were added to the ring road, providing better access to the hospital. The two original bus stops were replaced by a new bus station, which was located on the western side of Hospital Road. In addition, the single car park was divided into two separate areas, with one reserved for hospital staff and the other for the public.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the maps and provided a clear comparison between 2007 and 2010. The overview is concise and highlights the most significant changes, such as the roundabouts, the bus station, and the car park division. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the information is presented in a logical, analytical manner. The report is well-structured, and the comparisons between the two years are accurate and easy to follow. No significant information was omitted, and the response effectively summarizes the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that detail the changes chronologically. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In 2007', 'By 2010', 'In addition', and 'which was' is effective and natural. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. The referencing is precise, and the flow between the description of the past state and the subsequent developments is handled well, ensuring the reader can easily track the evolution of the hospital's road access.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'significantly improved', 'construction', 'division', and 'reserved'. The language is precise and fits the context of the task well. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, using more varied verbs for change or more descriptive adjectives for the infrastructure would enhance the lexical variety. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your points clearly and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including passive voice ('was surrounded', 'were replaced', 'was divided') and complex sentences with relative clauses ('which was connected', 'which was located'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The control over tense usage—shifting between the past state and the completed changes—is excellent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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