Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.

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



 

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The maps show the changes at Beechwood Farm between 1950 and today.

Overall, Beechwood Farm has changed a lot. In the past, it was only used for farming, but today it is also used for tourism, shopping, and solar energy.

In 1950, the north-east part of the farm was a large field for sheep. Next to the river in the south-west, there were three areas for fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables. In the south-east, there was a barn, a farmhouse, and an area for chickens. These places were connected by dirt tracks to a main road.

Today, there are many changes. The dirt tracks are now paved roads. The sheep area in the north has been replaced by a camping field, a small parking area, and solar panels. Near the river, the area for fruit trees is now smaller because a farm shop and another parking space were built there. However, the soft fruits and vegetables are still in the same place.

Finally, the farmhouse and chicken area have not moved. However, the barn was moved to a new place near the vegetables. Where the old barn used to be, there are now holiday cottages and a parking lot.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively covers all key features of the two maps. You have successfully identified the main changes, such as the transition from agricultural use to a mix of tourism and energy production. The comparison between 1950 and the present day is clear, and you have highlighted specific spatial changes, such as the relocation of the barn and the addition of solar panels and holiday cottages. The overview provided in the second paragraph is concise and accurately captures the essence of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure you consistently use precise directional language and perhaps group features more analytically rather than just listing them chronologically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the 1950 layout, the modern changes, and the final specific adjustments. You use cohesive devices like 'In the past,' 'Today,' 'However,' and 'Finally' effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. The flow between sentences is smooth, and referencing (e.g., 'These places,' 'the old barn') is handled accurately, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the spatial changes described.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'paved roads,' 'solar panels,' 'holiday cottages,' and 'relocated.' The language is natural and precise enough to convey the information without ambiguity. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a fairly standard range. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'changed' or 'moved' (e.g., 'transformed,' 'converted,' 'repositioned') to show greater flexibility and precision in your descriptive writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use passive voice appropriately to describe the changes (e.g., 'has been replaced,' 'were built,' 'was moved'), which is essential for this type of task. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. The punctuation is correct throughout. To push into the higher band, you could experiment with more varied complex sentence structures, such as using participle clauses (e.g., 'Replacing the sheep area, a new camping field was established...') to increase the sophistication of your grammatical range.

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