Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-19
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 images are providing context of an university sports centre, one is current condition and the second image shows redevelopment in future. University management decided to provide more facilities by adding new areas in sports centre.
Moreover, current image shows outdoor courts and gym surrounding area are sepreated, while in future, areas are going to be combined under one roof. Current west and east side, shows outdoor courts, while in center facilities like gym, changing room, reception, pool and seating can be seen. Total area of pool is 25M.
In future, addition of new areas are planned. This shows students are going to have more activities than before. One the west side of the centre outdoor courts are going to be replaced with leisure pool with changing room facility. Additionally, on the south direction, cafe and sports shop are added with reception area. However, pool is still there where it was before. Moreover, on the east side of centre outdoor courts will be going to replaced with sports hall, dance studio and changing room.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student covers the main features of the two diagrams by describing the current layout and the proposed future changes, such as the expansion of the building, the replacement of outdoor courts with a leisure pool and sports hall, and the addition of new facilities like a dance studio, a café, and a sports shop. However, the response lacks a clear, cohesive overview statement summarising the primary trends or changes (such as the overall expansion and indoor transformation). Some details are vague or slightly imprecise, such as referring to 'outdoor courts and gym surrounding area are sepreated'. Overall, the response addresses the task adequately and meets the minimum length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is divided into paragraphs, attempting to separate the introduction, the current layout, and the future plan. However, the logical progression between sentences is occasionally hindered by abrupt transitions and repetitive phrasing, such as starting multiple sentences with 'Moreover' or 'In future'. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'current image shows outdoor courts and gym surrounding area are sepreated, while in future, areas are going to be combined'. Paragraphing is present but could be more purposefully structured to compare specific zones of the sports centre.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to describe basic spatial relationships and features, such as 'redevelopment', 'facilities', 'reception', and 'leisure pool'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, including 'sepreated' (separated), 'an university' (a university), and awkward phrasings like 'current condition and the second image shows redevelopment in future'. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision and natural collocation. These errors do not seriously impede communication but restrict the score to Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in article usage and prepositions, such as 'providing context of an university sports centre', 'one is current condition', and 'on the south direction'. Additionally, awkward verb tenses and passive constructions occur, as seen in 'outdoor courts will be going to replaced with sports hall'. Simple sentences tend to be more accurate, but attempts at complex structures frequently result in errors that require the reader to slow down.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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