Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-30

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 two plans show a farm in 1950 and the same farm today. Overall, the farm has changed a lot. It is now used not only for farming but also for tourism and clean energy.

In 1950, the farm had areas for fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables and sheep. There was also a barn and a farmhouse. A river surrounded the farm, and tracks connected the different parts of the land.

Today, some farming areas are still the same. The fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetable fields are still on the left side of the farm. The barn, farmhouse and chicken area are also still there. However, the sheep field has been removed. Instead, there is now a camping field and a group of solar panels. A farm shop has been built near the entrance, and two parking areas have been added for visitors. In addition, holiday cottages have been built next to the farmhouse. The old tracks have also been replaced by roads.

In conclusion, the farm has become more modern and now has several new facilities. Although some farming activities remain, the biggest changes are the tourist facilities, solar panels and new roads.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the farm in 1950 and compared them with the current layout. The overview is clear, highlighting the shift from purely agricultural use to a multi-functional site involving tourism and renewable energy. You have accurately described the key changes, such as the removal of the sheep field and the addition of the solar panels, farm shop, and holiday cottages. The information is well-selected and reported, providing a coherent summary of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which aids readability. You have used cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'Although' effectively to link ideas and show contrast. The progression of information is smooth, moving from the historical state to the current state and then summarizing the main changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the analysis.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Terms like 'multi-functional', 'renewable energy', and 'facilities' demonstrate a good command of language. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it remains somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or descriptive adjectives to characterize the transformation of the site. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good variety of sentence structures, including both simple and complex sentences. You have used passive voice appropriately to describe the changes, such as 'the sheep field has been removed' and 'holiday cottages have been built'. Grammar is generally accurate throughout the text, with no significant errors in tense or punctuation. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writing is error-free for the most part, which supports clear communication of the information.

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