Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-15

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 plans illustrate the changes that took place at Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day.

Overall, the farm has been transformed from a mainly agricultural area into a modern tourist destination. While the fruit trees, soft-fruit and vegetable fields, farmhouse and chicken area have remained in their original locations, several new facilities have been introduced, including a camping field, solar panels, holiday cottages, roads and parking areas.

In 1950, a track ran from the north-western part of the farm towards the east. The northern section was largely used for sheep grazing, while the western part consisted of areas for fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables. In the southern and eastern parts of the farm, there were a barn, a farmhouse and a chicken area. The site was therefore primarily used for agricultural purposes.

Today, the former track has been replaced by a road, and the sheep-grazing area has been converted into a camping field. Solar panels have also been installed in the north-eastern part of the site, while two parking areas have been added for visitors. A farm shop has been constructed beside the new road. In addition, holiday cottages have replaced the former barn, and a new barn has been built further south. Despite these developments, the farmhouse, chicken area and agricultural fields have remained largely unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the farm in both 1950 and the present day, providing a logical comparison between the two time periods. The overview is well-crafted, highlighting the shift from an agricultural focus to a tourist-oriented site. You have successfully integrated specific details, such as the conversion of the sheep-grazing area into a camping field and the addition of solar panels, without becoming overly bogged down in minor details. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the information is presented in a clear, analytical manner that fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that effectively contrast the past and present states of the farm. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you make good use of cohesive devices such as 'In 1950', 'Today', 'In addition', and 'Despite these developments' to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and each paragraph has a clear central focus. The flow of information is natural and professional throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'transformed', 'agricultural purposes', 'converted', and 'constructed'. The language is varied and appropriate for an academic report. You avoid repetition and use collocations effectively, such as 'modern tourist destination' and 'remained largely unchanged'. The vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey the information accurately and fluently, showing a high level of control over the subject matter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammatical control is very high. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('While the fruit trees... have remained', 'The northern section was largely used for...'). The use of passive voice is particularly appropriate for describing changes in a landscape, such as 'has been replaced' and 'have been installed'. There are virtually no grammatical errors, and the punctuation is accurate throughout. The writing is error-free and demonstrates a high degree of flexibility.

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