Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-27
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 presented maps include the structural layout of sport center of a university today, and a planned layout of the future sport center of the same university.
The furure structure of the complex is a better use of land with subtantial amout of additional areas, and is presenting a modern and more advance layout.
the central area will not be changed alot the reception, pool, seating area, changing room are not evolved. While, the gym will extend towards the eastern outdoor courts. A very valueable addition of new sports hall will be made in place of the outdoor court along with two dance studios, changing room and a cafe.
The western outdoor courts will be converted into a meticulous leisure pool, along with the extension of a changing room in the south. the main enterance gate will remain absolutely same; Moreover, a sports shop will be constructed in the west of the main entrance.
Overall, change planned are meticulous, and depicts a good use of land.
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 response successfully covers all main features of the current and future layouts of the university sports centre, fulfilling the core requirements of Academic Task 1. The writer clearly identifies the retention of central facilities such as the 25m pool and reception, alongside major developments such as the expansion of the gym, the conversion of outdoor courts into a leisure pool and sports hall, and the addition of dance studios, changing rooms, a café, and a sports shop. An overview is present in both the introduction and conclusion, summarizing the general transformation. However, some minor inaccuracies in feature placement occur, such as stating the sports shop is 'in the west of the main entrance' when it is actually located further west, and subjective commentary is introduced ('meticulous leisure pool', 'good use of land'). Overall, the task is addressed well, aligning closely with Band 6.5 to 7.0 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a logical overall arrangement, moving from an introductory overview of the maps to specific changes in the central, eastern, and western sections, and finishing with a brief conclusion. Paragraphing is utilized, though the paragraphs are somewhat compressed. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas (e.g., 'While', 'Moreover', 'Overall'), but referencing and linking are occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters or abrupt transitions. Paragraphing could be more distinctly structured to separate spatial categories more clearly. Progression is generally clear throughout, making the text easy to follow despite minor cohesive flaws, which places it securely at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and spatial changes, incorporating terms like 'structural layout', 'complex', 'extension', and 'converted'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('furure', 'subtantial', 'amout', 'advance', 'alot', 'valueable', 'enterance') and word form issues ('is presenting', 'not evolved'). Attempts at less common vocabulary sometimes lead to awkward collocations or repetitive use of descriptors like 'meticulous'. While communication is not impeded and the vocabulary is sufficient for the task, the frequency of spelling slips prevents the score from reaching higher bands. It aligns well with the Band 6 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases. Grammatical control is mixed; there are several errors with verb tenses and passive voice forms, such as 'the reception, pool, seating area, changing room are not evolved' and 'change planned are meticulous'. Punctuation and capitalization issues are also present, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters ('the central area...'). Although complex structures are attempted, frequent errors in agreement and tense consistency mean that error-free sentences are not in the majority. This performance is characteristic of Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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