Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

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 The sheep area in the north has been replaced by a camping field, a small parking area, and solar panels.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 8.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the major changes and successfully selected and reported the main features of the farm in both 1950 and the present day. Comparisons are made throughout, such as noting the transition from dirt tracks to paved roads and the repurposing of the sheep area. The information is accurate and well-organized, covering all significant developments like the addition of solar panels, holiday cottages, and the farm shop. The response is well-balanced and provides a comprehensive summary of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview, followed by detailed descriptions of the past and present states. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the time periods and specific areas of the farm. Cohesive devices such as 'In the past', 'Today', 'However', and 'Finally' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the changes. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the different parts of the farm is clearly articulated, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately, such as 'repurposed', 'replaced', and 'connected'. The terminology is appropriate for a task describing maps, including terms like 'north-east', 'south-west', and 'paved roads'. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated synonyms for common verbs or descriptive adjectives to enhance the level of lexical variety. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and demonstrates good control over topic-specific language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used passive voice effectively to describe the changes, such as 'the sheep area... has been replaced' and 'the barn was moved'. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is accurate throughout. The control over verb tenses—switching between the past tense for 1950 and the present perfect/present tense for current changes—is handled correctly. The writing is clear, and the grammatical accuracy is high, with only rare, minor slips that do not impede communication.

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