Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17
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 two maps illustrates how Beechwood farm have developed from 1950 to the present.
Overall, there is a drastic development comparing to 1950's. Solar panels are panted, few parking areas emerged and there is no much difference in the agricultural fields, it remains the same.
Firstly, fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, farm house, chickens, and river. There is no changes in the above stated but barn is misplaced. In 1950's it was nearby holiday cottages but now it is on the tip of two roads. There are two new parking areas and a new farm shop nearby fruit trees.
Additionally, solar panels and holiday cottages, camping field are included. Then the tracks are changed into roads. and the place for sheep are now no more.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you identify some key features like the solar panels and parking areas, the description is fragmented and lacks a comprehensive overview of the spatial changes. You mention that the agricultural fields remain the same, but you miss the opportunity to describe the conversion of the sheep area into a camping field or the expansion of the road network in detail. The report is too brief to fully develop the comparison between the two time periods, leading to a partial response to the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'Firstly' and 'Additionally'. The sentences within the paragraphs often feel like a list of observations rather than a cohesive summary. For example, the third paragraph lists items without clear connections, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial transformation of the farm. Improved use of linking words and better paragraph structure would enhance the flow of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'changed', 'new', and 'same'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'panted' (likely meant 'planted' or 'installed') and 'on the tip of two roads'. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to maps and changes, such as 'converted', 'replaced', 'expanded', or 'transformed'. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey basic meaning, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The two maps illustrates', 'farm have developed') and punctuation errors. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. The phrase 'there is no much difference' is grammatically incorrect. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in basic grammar and the limited range of sentence structures prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and using a variety of complex structures would improve your accuracy and range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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