Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The map illustrate the beechwood farm in 1950 and the same farm today.

Overall, the farm underwent major development and has been modernized throughout the period. While the agriculture field like fruit trees and vegetables remained unchanged. New additional added on the empty land used for sheep grazing.

In 1950, Beechwood had dedicated middle spot for agriculture fields for growing fruits and vegetable. It also had barn nearest to a track and chickens house across the river. While a farmhouse in between.

As in today, the crossing road and a bridge over river and the middle part for growing fruits and vegetables remained unchanged. Farm shop have been added at the corner of fruit trees. The previously used track has been converted into road. While the farmhouse and chicken house stayed at his place, barn swapped with holiday cottages and relocated near agriculture field. Empty grazing land has some significant development, four solar panel has been installed at west north with addition of a parking lot. A camping field has also been introduced at the west side with a parking facility.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the maps, including the modernization of the farm and the specific changes to the layout. You provided a clear overview and supported your points with relevant details, such as the addition of solar panels and the conversion of the track. However, the response could be improved by ensuring more precise descriptions of locations; for example, 'middle spot' and 'west north' are slightly vague. Additionally, ensure that all comparisons are accurate, as the description of the barn's relocation could be clearer. Overall, you covered the requirements well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of time from 1950 to the present. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'While' and 'As in today', to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing and some mechanical use of transitions. For instance, the transition 'As in today' is non-standard. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would help elevate the score. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more cohesive.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'modernized', 'converted', and 'facility'. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'agriculture field' instead of 'agricultural fields' and 'stayed at his place' (referring to a building as 'his'). To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The map illustrate', 'four solar panel has been installed') and incorrect article usage ('a bridge over river'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall clarity. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, pluralization, and the correct use of articles. Increasing the accuracy of your complex sentences will also help you achieve a higher band score.

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

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