Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10

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 6.0)

The two maps depict the transformation of Beechwood farm between 1950 and 2026, during which the area underwent substantial development in several respects.

Overall, the most far-reaching change was the sheepfold, which fundamentally altered the character of the area, while fruit, vegetable fields, chicken pen and farmhouse remained a constant throughout. By 2025, the area had shift from being predominantly farmstead to being largely modern farm.

In the year 1950, the farm was dominated by mostly sheepfold and chicken pen aside from that the farm was filled with large area of gardens present elsewhere. The overall layout at this stage reflected on traditional-farm.

By the year 2025, this had changed considerably: the sheepfold had given way to two parking area, camping field, and solar panels, while a further addition of farm shop and barn had been introduced to the in fruit trees and next to the roadway. Taken together, these changes reflect a broader shift toward regenerative farm in the area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps well, identifying key changes such as the removal of the sheepfold and the addition of modern facilities. However, the analysis is slightly inaccurate in places; for example, the text claims the 'fruit, vegetable fields, chicken pen and farmhouse remained a constant,' whereas the maps show the chicken pen and vegetable fields were removed. Additionally, the term 'regenerative farm' is an interpretation not supported by the visual data provided. To reach a higher band, ensure that all observations are strictly based on the provided diagrams and that comparisons are precise.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two time periods. Cohesive devices such as 'In the year 1950,' 'By the year 2025,' and 'Taken together' are used to guide the reader through the timeline. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing of specific map features could be smoother to improve the flow between sentences. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at topic-specific language like 'transformation,' 'substantial development,' and 'predominantly.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the area had shift' (should be 'shifted') and 'traditional-farm' (should be 'a traditional farm'). The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but more precise terminology regarding map features (e.g., 'layout,' 'infrastructure,' 'converted into') would enhance the quality of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'the area had shift' (verb tense error), 'mostly sheepfold' (missing article), and 'the in fruit trees' (preposition error). These errors do not impede communication, but they do indicate a lack of consistent control over complex structures. Increasing the accuracy of verb forms and article usage will help in achieving a higher band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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