Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-17
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 two plans demonstrate the layout of a current university sport center and proposed changes following its refurbishment. Overall, the sport center is planned to become larger and will provides wider facilities. The pool is still in center, the two outdoor courts will be removed and replayed by other indoor facilities like leisure pool, two dance studios, sports hall, cafe and sports shop.
At present, its an ordinary sports center. The reception is located near the main entrance directly the south. The 25 meters swimming pool in the center, and the gym occupies the northern side. The west side covers the changing room and the seating area is located on the east. Additionally , both outdoor courts are located outside of the buildings.
According to the future plans, building will be extended on both the sides and outdoor courts will disappear. The 25 meters pool, gym , changing room , seating and reception remain same and their surroundings will ne modified. Leisure pool located on western side , along with a new changing room and sports shop is on the southwest.
On eastern , Sports hall is constructed next to the seating area. Two dancing studios covers far east corner. While cafe and another new changing room located on the south east part. Therefore, redevelopment completely change the ordinary sports center in to the lux sports complex.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the current layout and the proposed future redevelopment. The overview paragraph is adequate, noting that the center will become larger and feature expanded facilities. Key features are correctly identified, such as the retention of the central 25m pool and the removal of outdoor courts to make way for new indoor amenities like the leisure pool, sports hall, and dance studios. However, there are minor inaccuracies in spatial referencing, such as stating the reception is 'directly the south' and omitting some minor elements. Overall, the ideas are well selected and supported by the visual data, placing this response solidly in Band 6.5 to 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into clear paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the present layout and future changes, and concluding with a brief summary statement. Cohesive devices and transition markers are used, such as 'At present,' 'According to the future plans,' and 'On eastern.' However, some cohesion feels mechanical or is hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'While cafe and another new changing room located on the south east part.' Paragraphing is logical, grouping the 'present' and 'future' information appropriately, though referencing and transitions between sentences could be smoother to achieve a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms related to spatial layouts and facilities such as 'refurbishment,' 'amenities,' 'redevelopment,' and 'leisure pool.' There are, however, noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'will provides wider facilities,' 'its an ordinary sports center,' and 'lux sports complex.' Spelling is generally accurate, but awkward phrasing like 'Two dancing studios covers far east corner' shows limitation in precision. The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points, but lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for Band 7.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like 'The two plans demonstrate...' and 'While cafe and another new changing room located on the south east part.' Grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including missing articles ('its an ordinary sports center', 'building will be extended'), subject-verb agreement issues ('will provides', 'Leisure pool located...'), and incomplete verb phrases ('another new changing room located'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, allowing the reader to follow the descriptions easily. This balance of mixed structures and frequent minor errors fits the Band 6 descriptor well.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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