Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The presented picture illustrates the overall shift of Grange Park starting from 1920 and today in terms of organization and development.

In both maps, Stage and fountain has been removed from the center. Alongside, new attractions like Children's play area, cafe and Water feature has been added to enhance the organization and structure.

In first sketch, Seats have been placed at the side area of the rectangular sketch. On addition, Three parts of rose garden can be observed. Alongside seats as well as glasshouse. Furthermore, for entertainment Stage is placed alongside the fountain with Ponds for water plants in the upper right corner.

In another blueprint, Rose garden has been placed as the center of attraction surrounded by the seats. Moreover, In top Rose garden, cafe and children playground are organized. Furthermore, On left side, Amphitheatre for concert purpose is managed alongside in just opposite direction Water feature is monitored. On addition, Underground car parking can be felt new towards the modern traffic eco-system organization.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying key changes such as the removal of the stage and fountain and the addition of the cafe and play area. However, the description lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, which is a requirement for a high band. Some information is presented in a list-like manner rather than a cohesive analysis. For example, the description of the 1920 layout is somewhat fragmented. To improve, you should focus on grouping features logically and providing a clear, concise summary paragraph that highlights the most striking changes between the two time periods, rather than just listing individual items.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'On addition' and 'In another blueprint' are used incorrectly or sound unnatural. The progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed, particularly in the third paragraph where the transition between features is abrupt. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words more naturally, such as 'whereas', 'in contrast', or 'subsequently', and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus that flows logically from the previous one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'monitored' to describe the location of a water feature, and 'can be felt new' to describe the car park. These choices impede the natural flow of the report. While you successfully use terms like 'amphitheatre' and 'rose garden', the overall range is limited. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise verbs and collocations related to describing maps and urban development, such as 'replaced by', 'transformed into', or 'situated in the vicinity of'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Stage and fountain has been removed') and incorrect preposition usage (e.g., 'at the side area'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and word forms, such as 'In first sketch' instead of 'In the first sketch'. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring correct article usage to improve accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.