Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-12
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 5.0)
The maps illustrate the layout of a public park in 1920 and at present.
Overall, the Grange Park has undergone significant redevelopment, with several new facilities added and some of the original features removed. New amenities like an Amphitheatre for concerts, a cafe, the children play area and a water feature have been added, while some features, including the fountain, a stage for musicians, a glasshouse and a pond for water plants have been removed. Few things remained unchanged throughout the period.
In 1920, the park had two entrances; one on the Arnold Avenue and other on the Eldon Street. A fountain was located in the centre of the park with a stage for musician to its left.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the park in 1920 and at present, noting key additions and removals such as the amphitheatre and the fountain. However, the response has a significant drawback: it is severely under-length, containing only 118 words compared to the required 150-word minimum. Because the task is cut short, the information is not fully developed, and the description of the second map remains incomplete, as the student stops mid-sentence in the third paragraph. In terms of content, the overview is present and accurate, and key comparisons are initiated, but the failure to meet the minimum length requirement and the resulting incomplete overview severely constrain the task achievement score, placing it firmly at band 4.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The writing demonstrates a basic structural framework with an introductory sentence, a clear overview paragraph, and the beginning of a body paragraph. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, as seen with phrases like 'Overall' and 'while some features'. However, the organisation is cut short abruptly in the middle of describing the 1920 map, which disrupts the logical progression of the text. Paragraphing is attempted appropriately by separating the introduction, overview, and body sections, but because the response is incomplete, the overall arrangement lacks full coherence and fails to develop a complete set of body paragraphs. Referencing is generally clear, but the premature ending prevents the text from achieving a fully coherent development.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps, utilising terms such as 'redevelopment', 'amenities', 'amphitheatre', and 'glasshouse'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, and overall the word choices are fairly natural and relevant to the topic. However, there are minor lexical inaccuracies, such as 'the children play area' (missing the possessive form 'children's'), and the vocabulary range remains somewhat limited due to the short length of the text. Nevertheless, the lexical items used do not impede communication, and the writer shows a reasonable ability to paraphrase the visual prompt using appropriate geographic and park-related terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student produces a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammatical structures. Examples include the complex sentence 'Overall, the Grange Park has undergone significant redevelopment, with several new facilities added...' and coordinate clauses. There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'one on the Arnold Avenue and other on the Eldon Street' (missing articles) and 'stage for musician' (missing plural form). Despite these errors, the structures attempted show a reasonable variety, and the grammatical mistakes rarely completely impede the reader's understanding. However, the sentence structures are cut short as the text ends prematurely, limiting the demonstration of a wider range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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