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 diagram reveals the map of sports centre in university today and how it will establish in future after renovation. Now, there are one pool but after renovation there will be a leisure pool at the west of previous pool also. Cafe area will also be introduced at the right side of reception, beside this, there will be also an extra changing room. Outdoor courts will also be merged from east and west of pool to establish a sports hall and the dance studios.

There are no sports hall, dance studio, cafe, leisure pool and sports shop.These facilities will be provided after renovation in current map like merging outdoor court areas to it which creates further space for these luxuries under one roof.

Gym, reception, changing room, pool and seating will remain in there similar location only additions will be done for more convenience of staff and students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the changes to the university sports centre, identifying major alterations such as the addition of a leisure pool, a café, sports hall, and dance studios, while noting that facilities like the gym and 25m pool remain. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement (containing 148 words), which negatively impacts task fulfilment. Additionally, the overview is somewhat weak, and the reporting lacks a well-structured summary of the overall spatial transformation. Key features are mentioned, but the development and integration of these points are limited. Consequently, the score reflects these omissions and the length penalty.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text is divided into three short paragraphs, which provides a basic organisational structure. However, logical progression is hindered by abrupt transitions and somewhat repetitive phrasing (e.g., repeating 'after renovation' multiple times). Cohesive devices are basic and occasionally awkward, such as 'beside this, there will be also an extra changing room' and 'outdoor courts will also be merged from east and west of pool to establish a sports hall and the dance studios'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the overall flow feels disjointed rather than naturally cohesive, corresponding to Band 5.5 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating domain-specific terms like 'leisure pool', 'reception', 'changing room', and 'dance studios'. However, word choice and collocation are at times imprecise or unnatural, such as 'how it will establish in future' instead of 'how it will be developed', and 'luxuries' to describe basic university sports facilities. There are also noticeable lexical limitations and slight word-formation errors ('in there similar location'). The range is sufficient to communicate basic ideas, fitting Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several structural errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('there are one pool', 'Outdoor courts will also be merged... to establish a sports hall and the dance studios'), missing prepositions, and awkward phrasing ('Now, there are one pool but after renovation there will be...'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor grammatical inaccuracies cause occasional strain for the reader, placing this firmly in the Band 5.5 category.

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