Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-10
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The given diagram illustrates the layout of a university's sports center in current time and after reconstruction how it will look like.
Overall, major change in gym area. West, south and east corner will develop in upcoming construction.
In present time, outdoor courts area location is west and east both of side. In center part of sprot center have pool area. Near entrance gate have reception area and left side of pool area have changing room and right side have seating area. North side of pool have gym area.
After redevelopment gym area will be increasing. Other three area will similar as present time. Near changing room area have leisure pool area and also construct another changing room and near that changing room will have sports shop. North- east side of corner will have sports hall and dance studio area. South east corner have changing room and cafe area. It will covered outdoor courts in sports center.
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 response covers the main features of the sports centre layout, including the current state and the planned redevelopment. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you mention that the gym area will change, the summary lacks a cohesive synthesis of the overall transformation. Some details, such as the specific locations of the new sports hall or the cafe, are listed rather than compared effectively. To reach a higher band, ensure you group information logically—for example, by contrasting the 'before' and 'after' states more fluidly rather than listing features in isolation. The response addresses the prompt but lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'In present time' and 'After redevelopment' are used to transition, but the internal flow within paragraphs is often disjointed. There is a lack of variety in linking words, and some sentences feel like a list of points rather than a flowing narrative. Improving the use of referencing (e.g., 'the former', 'the latter') and transition signals would significantly enhance the logical progression of your ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple descriptors like 'area', 'side', and 'have'. There is little attempt to use more precise or academic vocabulary to describe spatial changes (e.g., 'relocated', 'expanded', 'converted', 'adjacent to'). Furthermore, there are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'in current time' instead of 'currently' or 'at present'. To improve, try to incorporate more varied terminology related to architectural changes and spatial relationships.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in article usage ('the' is often missing), subject-verb agreement ('North side of pool have'), and sentence construction ('West, south and east corner will develop'). Some sentences are fragmented or lack necessary prepositions. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and punctuation hinder the fluency of the text. Focusing on sentence structure and ensuring that verbs agree with their subjects will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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