Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-18

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 5.0)

The map shows what the institution's sports club looks like currently and what it will look like after the construction is completed. In the overview, the leisure facility can be newly constructed, and the dance studio facility will be available in the plan. In the present map of the university sports center, at the entrance at the front, you can see the 25m pool on the left on the west side; there are outdoor courts on the right nearby changing room. On the North side, there is a gym right side have the seating where individuals can sit together.

In the plans for the university sports center in the future. On the West side of the pool is the leisure pool can be built in place of the outdoor courts. On the right side of the pool, the seating area will be expanded with the sports hall, with a nearby dance studio.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The candidate attempts to summarise the main features of the maps, noting the transformation of the outdoor courts into a leisure pool and the addition of a dance studio. However, the response contains several spatial and factual inaccuracies regarding the current layout and proposed changes. For instance, the student states that the 25m pool is 'on the left on the west side' and places the outdoor courts and changing rooms incorrectly. Furthermore, key features such as the sports hall and expanded gym are either misdescribed or omitted in the summary. The overview lacks clarity in distinguishing the major overall spatial expansion. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, corresponding to a Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into a brief introduction and two body paragraphs, which provides a basic organisational structure. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by confusing spatial referencing and abrupt transitions, such as 'On the North side, there is a gym right side have the seating'. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes incorrectly, leading to disjointed sentences. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks clear thematic consistency between the present layout and the future developments. Overall, the arrangement shows some coherence, but the flow is hindered by awkward structuring, fitting the descriptor for Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, relying on terms like 'map', 'pool', 'gym', and 'side'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary such as 'institution' and 'construction', but word choice and collocation are often imprecise or unnatural, such as 'leisure facility can be newly constructed' and 'right side have the seating'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but the limited range of vocabulary and noticeable inaccuracies occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, aligning with Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The candidate demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures frequently result in grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'In the plans for the university sports centre in the future. On the West side of the pool is the leisure pool can be built...' There are issues with verb tense consistency, missing verbs, and fragmented sentence structures. While basic communication is maintained, frequent grammatical errors cause strain for the reader, making Band 5.0 the most appropriate score.

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

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