Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25

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 picture above reveals a public park in 1920 and the same park today after numerous years. Overall, the park has completely transformed into a new look. As we can see, the Grange Park used to have a fountain located in the centre of the park, which was now replaced by a massive rose garden with seats surrounding it. As we go further, it can be noticed that there is now a third entrance, the underground car park, which is more convenient compared to the past. Moreover, in 1920 the stage for musicians which was located on the left of the fountain had also transformed bigger and more spacious. Today, more facilities are included, including the cafe and the children’s play area, where both are at the top corner of the park. Furthermore, the glasshouse that stays in the water feature has now also transformed into a water feature now.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the park in both 1920 and today, such as the rose garden, the car park, and the new facilities. You have also made relevant comparisons, such as noting the addition of the cafe and children's play area. However, the report lacks a clear overview paragraph that synthesizes the most significant changes. Additionally, some descriptions are slightly inaccurate; for instance, you mention the glasshouse has transformed into a water feature, but the map shows the glasshouse was removed and replaced by a water feature. To reach a higher band, ensure your summary captures the overall trend of development and double-check the accuracy of your spatial descriptions against the provided visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized logically, moving from general observations to specific features. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'As we go further' to link your ideas. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is presented as a single block of text. For an Academic Task 1, it is essential to separate your introduction, overview, and body paragraphs clearly. While the flow of information is generally coherent, the lack of structural division makes the response feel somewhat mechanical. Improving your paragraphing will significantly enhance the clarity and professional presentation of your report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transformed', 'spacious', and 'convenient'. However, there are some issues with word choice and collocation. For example, 'the glasshouse that stays in the water feature' is confusing and inaccurate. Additionally, the phrase 'transformed bigger' is grammatically awkward; 'expanded' or 'was enlarged' would be more precise. To improve, focus on using more specific vocabulary related to map descriptions, such as 'replaced by', 'situated in the north-east corner', or 'underwent significant renovation'. Your current vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but lacks the precision required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'the Grange Park used to have a fountain... which was now replaced'. However, there are several grammatical errors that affect the flow. For instance, 'which was now replaced' uses an incorrect tense sequence; 'which has now been replaced' would be more appropriate. You also have issues with prepositional usage and article placement, such as 'at the top corner of the park' (should be 'in the top corner'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your meaning, they occur frequently enough to limit your score. Focus on consistent tense usage when describing changes over time.

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

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