Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-18

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 plan illustrates current situation of university Sports Centre and after upgrade how it will look, it shows future plan to renovate university.

Now university Sports Centre has vintage design which is very outdated in terms of current trends while future plan is full of modern design. it looks more arranged and accessible compare to current one.it uses space more effectively and also added some new things for specific use like dance studio ,cafe and more changing room.

At the present University has two outdoor courts, one is located in the west side and another one is in the east side while between these two court yard the main Sports Centre is situated . there is 25m pool in the center. in the east side of pool there is seating are while in the west side there is a changing room and in the southern side of the pool there is reception area and in the north side of pool gym is situated.

Future plans for upgrading this is incredible idea and plan is also very good in future layout all space is used in order to make it useful and precise pool , changing room , seating area remained same but quantity of changing room is increased while gym's width is increased and in the east side of pool two dance studios are added while west side outdoor court is transformed in to leisure pool and at the entrance of room there is specific changing room for it . they also added cafe in the eastern side of reception area beside changing room bellow dance studios in north. they also added sports hall at the front of dance studio. sports hall is between dance studio and seating area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the plans, including the current layout and the proposed changes. You successfully identified key additions like the dance studios, cafe, and sports hall, and noted changes to the outdoor courts. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. To reach a higher band, you should focus more on comparing the two layouts rather than listing features in isolation. For example, instead of just stating that the gym's width increased, you could highlight the overall shift toward a more multi-functional facility. The inclusion of subjective commentary, such as calling the plan an 'incredible idea,' is inappropriate for an academic report, which should remain objective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical. Many sentences are linked with simple conjunctions like 'and' or 'while,' and there is a lack of sophisticated transition words to guide the reader through the comparison. Furthermore, the paragraphing could be improved; the second paragraph is quite long and dense, making it difficult to track the spatial changes. Improving the use of referencing (e.g., 'the former,' 'the latter') and spatial markers would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'good,' 'new things,' and 'full of modern design.' There are also some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'vintage design' (which is not typically used to describe a sports centre) and 'precise pool.' To improve, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to architectural plans and spatial changes, such as 'reconfigured,' 'expanded,' 'integrated,' or 'converted.' Additionally, ensure that you avoid informal or evaluative language in an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede readability. Common issues include missing articles (e.g., 'in east side of pool'), incorrect capitalization, and run-on sentences. There are also errors in subject-verb agreement and preposition usage (e.g., 'bellow dance studios'). While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence construction, proper punctuation, and consistent use of articles would lead to significant improvement.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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