Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12

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)

There are two maps of a farm called Beechwood. One of them shows developments at site in 1950 another shows fresh developments at the same site. Both maps illustrate lot of changes over the period of time. We will discuss these specific changes in following lines.

The total area of farm remains same over the time. Although there are some major changes happens in this interval. First of all in 1950 there was a large place appointed for sheep but now a day this place plays different roles like provides parking at the corner of both gates also use as camping field at the other end solar panels are installed. rough track also converted to carpet road. Although the area of fruit trees soft fruits and vegetables seems almost same just additional farm shop added at the one of corner of fruit trees.

There are also an Holiday cottage added

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, such as the addition of the farm shop, holiday cottage, and solar panels. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear overview. The description of the changes is fragmented, and the comparison between 1950 and the present day could be more structured. While the main features are identified, the response lacks a cohesive summary of the overall transformation, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. The inclusion of personal commentary, such as 'We will discuss these specific changes in following lines', is inappropriate for an academic report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between ideas is mechanical and lacks sophistication. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive. For instance, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is abrupt. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'this place plays different roles', which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial progression of the map. Improved use of linking words and clearer signposting would significantly enhance the logical flow of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. Phrases like 'large place appointed for sheep' and 'rough track also converted to carpet road' are unnatural and imprecise. The student relies on basic descriptors and struggles with accurate collocations related to map description. To improve, the student should focus on using more academic terminology, such as 'converted into', 'replaced by', or 'remained unchanged', and avoid informal phrasing that does not suit the academic tone of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('major changes happens') and article usage ('at the one of corner'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly regarding the use of commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic errors would be beneficial.

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

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