Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14
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 illustrates the view of Beechwood Farm in 1950, and the present structure of the farm.
Overall, it's clear that Beechwood Farm has undergone significant development by adding, Solar panels, Parking, Farm shop, Camping Field, and Holiday cottages. However, the Sheep area was abolished, and tracks were replaced by Road.
On the north-east of the map, Sheep area was converted into three different area. Solar panels were added at the right side, just below the panels Parking area was constructed. On main site of a sheep area, Camping field was constructed, and to the left, parking area was there.
On the southern region of the map, Barn was replaced and attached to the Road. Tracks were changed into a Road. In addition, new area was added known as Farm shop at top of Fruit trees. Furthermore, the Holiday cottages added in place of previous Barn. Fruit trees, Soft fruits and Vegetables were remained at the same place.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying the key changes such as the removal of the sheep area and the addition of new facilities. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the spatial changes. While the main features are reported, the comparison between the two time periods could be more integrated. The report is accurate in its identification of the new structures, but the spatial descriptions (e.g., 'right side', 'main site') are occasionally vague, making it slightly difficult for the reader to visualize the exact layout changes without referring constantly to the source image.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on different areas of the farm. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'However', though some transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the north-east to the southern region. However, the referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as 'three different area' (should be plural) and 'parking area was there', which disrupts the flow of information. Overall, the structure is functional and supports the reader's understanding of the changes.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for the description of the farm's transformation. You use relevant terms like 'undergone significant development', 'converted', and 'replaced'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the present structure of the farm' (better: 'the current layout') and 'on main site of a sheep area' (better: 'in the main area previously used for sheep'). There are also minor errors in pluralization, such as 'three different area' and 'Holiday cottages added'. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and ensuring correct noun-verb agreement would improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include missing articles ('added, Solar panels', 'replaced by Road'), incorrect verb forms ('Fruit trees... were remained'), and awkward phrasing ('Holiday cottages added in place of previous Barn'). These errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher band score. To improve, focus on the consistent use of articles and ensuring that passive voice constructions are grammatically complete.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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