Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-08

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 illustration gives information about the layout of a university's sports centre now, and also compare it with future after redevelopment.

Overall, there is huge change between present and future plan. The two outdoors shown in the present map were replaced lot of things in future

It is quite evident from map that the present view of university sports centre is that there is a 25m pool inside the map. The gym is on upside of the pool and seating area is on right side of the pool. The left side of pool connected with changing room. And the entrance of this map shows a reception. The outside of this map there is a two outdoors which is situated at the left or right side of the map. Furthermore, there is large change in future. The right outdoors courts were replaced by sports hall, Dance studio, changing room or cafe. While, the left outdoor were replaced by a leisure pool, changing room or sports shop.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main contrast between the current centre and the redevelopment, and accurately locate the pool, gym, seating, changing room and reception in the present layout. You also report that the outdoor courts will be replaced by new facilities, including a leisure pool, sports hall, dance studios, shop and café. However, the overview is vague: “huge change” does not explain that the building expands into the former court areas while several central facilities remain in place. Some details are also imprecise, such as saying the courts were replaced by “changing room or cafe” without distinguishing the two new changing rooms or locating the additions. A clearer overview and more precise comparisons would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and a description of the existing and planned layouts. The sequence from the central pool to the surrounding facilities is generally easy to follow, and “Furthermore” and “While” help signal a shift to the future plan. However, the overview is separated from the details by a paragraph break without being fully developed, and the final comparison compresses several locations into one list. Repeated use of “map” and “pool” also makes the progression feel somewhat mechanical. Organise the body into clearer present-versus-future comparisons, and use precise references such as “on the eastern side” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic terms such as “layout,” “entrance,” “reception,” “leisure pool” and “sports hall,” so the reader can understand the main facilities. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural for describing plans. For example, “on upside of the pool” and “right side” are informal or awkward, while “two outdoors” does not accurately name the outdoor courts. “Huge change” is also broad rather than descriptive. Use more precise spatial and planning vocabulary, such as “to the north of,” “adjacent to,” “will be converted into” and “will be added.” This would improve clarity and reduce repetition without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including “The left side of pool connected with changing room” and the contrast beginning “While, the left outdoor…”. However, grammatical control is uneven. Some sentences omit necessary verbs or articles, as in “The left side of pool connected,” and the opening sentence has an incorrect verb pattern in “gives information … and also compare it.” There are also problems with singular and plural forms and sentence boundaries, particularly in the overview, which ends without clear punctuation. These errors sometimes make relationships between features less clear. Practise accurate present and future forms, articles, and complete clauses; then combine ideas using controlled comparisons, for example, “The gym is north of the pool, while seating is to its east.”

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