Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-13

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 two maps show how Beechwood Farm changed between 1950 and the present day.

Overall, the farm has been transformed from an agricultural site into a tourist destination. The crop fields in the west remain unchanged, but the livestock areas in the east have been replaced by visitor facilities.

In 1950, a road crossed the north-western corner and a river flowed along the western and southern edges. Three fields of fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables lay in the centre, while sheep grazed to the north-east. A barn, a farmhouse and a chicken enclosure stood in the east, reached by dirt tracks.

Today, the three crop fields remain in place, but the eastern half has changed considerably. The sheep field has gone and solar panels have been installed in the north-east, with a camping field to the west of them. Holiday cottages have been built where the chickens were kept, although the farmhouse and barn have been retained.

In addition, a farm shop and two car parks have been constructed near the road junction, and the tracks that once crossed the site have been widened into roads.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the major changes, noting the shift from agricultural to tourism-focused land use. The report effectively selects and highlights key features, such as the retention of crop fields versus the development of visitor facilities in the east. Comparisons are made clearly throughout the text, and the information is accurately derived from the provided maps. There are no omissions of significant features, and the response is well-structured to guide the reader through the chronological changes observed between 1950 and the present day.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the introduction to the overview, followed by detailed descriptions of the past and present states. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different aspects of the site. Cohesive devices, such as 'In addition', 'while', and 'although', are used naturally to link ideas and contrast information. The referencing is precise, ensuring the reader can easily follow the spatial changes described. The flow of information is smooth and professional, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to describing maps and spatial changes. Phrases such as 'transformed from an agricultural site', 'visitor facilities', 'retained', and 'widened into roads' show precise control. The use of vocabulary is natural and sophisticated, contributing to a clear and concise report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is consistently appropriate for an academic task of this nature.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, including passive voice constructions like 'have been installed' and 'have been constructed', which are essential for describing changes in a process or map. Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is error-free. The control over tense usage—shifting between the past simple for 1950 and the present perfect for changes up to the present day—is handled perfectly, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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