Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-11

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 illustrate the structural changes made to Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day.

Overall, the farm has shifted from a purely agricultural site toward eco-tourism and commercial enterprise. While core farming elements like crop production and livestock remained, open agricultural spaces were developed into tourist facilities, energy infrastructure, and paved access roads.

In 1950, the farm was accessible only via dirt tracks. In the northeastern zone, a large field dedicated to sheep grazing has since been replaced by solar panels and a camping area. Adjacent to this camping site, a parking lot and a farm shop have been constructed near the main road, taking over a portion of the fruit tree area.

In the eastern sector, the original barn was demolished and replaced with holiday cottages, supplemented by a dedicated parking space to the north. The barn itself was relocated further south, directly opposite the farmhouse. Conversely, the fields for soft fruits and vegetables, as well as the farmhouse, chicken area, and surrounding river, have remained completely unchanged since 1950.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends, noting the shift from agriculture to eco-tourism. The key features, such as the introduction of solar panels, camping facilities, and the relocation of the barn, are accurately identified and compared against the 1950 layout. The information is well-selected, and the comparison between the two time periods is logical and easy to follow. You have successfully highlighted both the changes and the elements that remained unchanged, which demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that group information by location and theme. Cohesive devices such as 'while', 'in the northeastern zone', 'adjacent to', and 'conversely' are used effectively to guide the reader through the spatial changes. The progression of ideas is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily track the evolution of specific farm features over time.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and structural changes, such as 'structural changes', 'eco-tourism', 'commercial enterprise', 'infrastructure', and 'demolished'. The terminology is precise and fits the context well. There is a good level of flexibility in your word choice, which allows for a natural and sophisticated description of the site's transformation. The vocabulary is consistently accurate, and there are no instances where word choice hinders the clarity of your report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the introductory participial phrase 'supplemented by a dedicated parking space' and the contrastive structure 'While core farming elements... remained, open agricultural spaces were developed...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over tense and voice is consistent, effectively conveying the historical changes in a clear and professional manner.

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

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