We were given a plan for a new town and asked to describe it. The plan was similar to the one below:
Sample Response
The map illustrates a plan for possible constructions and sites for a new township.
Overall it is immediately apparent from the map that two sites for parking and bus station are under construction in the west and east of the town and will be located in the core of the town.
The first possible site for the parking is just northeast of the city centre, along with freeway and road, which runs from in square path and occupy all the surrounding areas. Whilst parking area would be divided into three different locations northeast, southeast and southwest, thus all location providing connecting roads and easy for those living in the city centre. This parking area is also next toIt will also be next to the freeway and a recreational areathe freeway and recreational sites. Moreover, two bus stations are plannedthe second possible site for the bus station will be constructed in two areas west and east of the city centre.
Furthermore, the sites in the northwest and southeast arethe site in the northwest and southeast is industrialIndustrial, beside the freewayjust by the freeway and fairly close to the city centre.
The northwestern industrial site is close toHowever, it is near to a recreational site, which is located in the norththe north direction rather than housing. There is a main road that radiates from the city centre in several directionsruns throughout the city in 10 different directions, and all connect to the freewayconnect with the freeway path. It is interesting to note that six different recreational sites are included in the planwill be constructed shortly. Four recreational areas lie within the freewayWhereas the main major recreational areas divide into four parts inside the city centre, and several lie beside the freewayall are planning to connect with a freeway. Therefore, housing occupies the remaining unmarked areas, with a parking area in the southeast of the city centrea small area for housing would be constructed along with the opening parking in the southeast.
Why this response received Band 5.0
The response identifies several visible features, including the two industrial areas, the central bus stations, and the broad distribution of recreational land. However, its overview misstates the number and location of parking sites, and several descriptions of roads, housing, and future construction are unclear or unsupported. Prioritise an accurate overview, then organise precise comparisons by land-use category and location.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Several relevant features are mentioned, but the overview inaccurately reports two parking sites and some claims about construction, housing, and roads are unsupported.
State that three parking areas and two bus stations lie within the central square, then describe each surrounding land use accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphs separate some feature groups, but the progression is loose and connectors such as "However" and "Whereas" often do not express a logical relationship.
Group the central facilities, outer land uses, and transport network into a clear sequence with straightforward linking.
Lexical Resource
The response uses some appropriate map vocabulary, but frequent awkward combinations such as "runs from in square path" and "opening parking" reduce precision.
Use controlled location phrases such as "inside the city centre," "outside the freeway," and "to the southeast."
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex structures are attempted, but frequent article, agreement, and clause errors regularly make descriptions difficult to follow.
Write shorter complete sentences and check articles, plural forms, subject-verb agreement, and relative clauses carefully.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
We were given a plan for a new town and asked to describe it. The plan was similar to the one below:
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.