Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The two maps show the changes that have taken place at Beechwood Farm between 1950 and today.
Overall, the farm has changed. Some agricultural areas have remained, while facilities have been added, including a farm shop, camping field, solar panels and holiday cottages.
In 1950, there was a sheep field. There were areas for fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables. A barn, farmhouse and chicken area were located in the south. The farm was connected by tracks, and a river ran on the west.
Today, the fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetable areas remain unchanged. However, a shop and parking area have been added. The sheep field has been divided into a camping field and solar panels. The old barn has been replaced by holiday cottages, while a new barn has been built further south. The farmhouse and chicken area remain in the same places.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying key changes such as the addition of the shop, camping field, and holiday cottages. However, the response is 145 words long, failing to meet the 150-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description or provide a more detailed comparison of the site's evolution. While the overview is present, the lack of sufficient length prevents a more thorough analysis of the spatial changes, leading to a penalty for task completion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the 1950 layout and the current state. The progression of information is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In 1950', 'Today', 'However', and 'while' are used effectively to link ideas and contrast the two time periods. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the historical context from the current developments, contributing to a coherent structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using specific terms like 'agricultural areas', 'holiday cottages', and 'solar panels'. The range is sufficient to describe the changes clearly. However, the language is somewhat repetitive and lacks a wider variety of sophisticated lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice, but the vocabulary remains functional rather than precise or varied.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Grammatical control is generally strong, with accurate use of passive voice ('has been replaced', 'has been built') and past/present tenses to distinguish between the two time periods. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the range of structures is not particularly wide, the sentences are mostly error-free, which ensures clear communication of the information provided.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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