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 plans shows the site of Beechwood farm in 1950 and the same sit today.

The farm seems very different today according to the plan. In 1950 a river passes through the farm and it look like exactly in todays plan. In that time road was followed up by tracks but later roads have been constructed in the form, replacing the track.

In the initial year (1950), Fruit trees, soft trees, and vegetable crops were planted along the river, while a large open area on the other side of the track was used for keeping sheep. However, at the corner of the track, near the river, there was a barn, a farmhouse, and a chicken shed located close together.

In today plan , several developments have taken place. A farm shop has been added alongside the fruit trees, while the other trees and vegetable crops have remained unchanged. On the other side of the road, the area previously used for sheep has been converted into a camping area, which also includes a parking space. Barn is shifted at the joining of two roads, and holiday cottage is built at that place while farmhouse and chickens shed remain at exact position as in 1950.

While the vast area on the other side of the river has remained empty in both plans.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, including the changes in infrastructure and land use. You successfully identified the key developments, such as the conversion of the sheep area into a camping site and the addition of the farm shop. However, the overview is missing; a summary paragraph highlighting the most significant changes (e.g., the transition from a purely agricultural site to one incorporating tourism) is essential for a higher band. Additionally, some descriptions are slightly inaccurate, such as stating the farmhouse remained in the exact position, which the visual evidence contradicts. To improve, ensure you provide a clear, concise overview of the major trends immediately after the introduction.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from 1950 to the present. You use some cohesive devices like 'However' and 'In the initial year' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by mechanical phrasing and some awkward transitions between sentences. For instance, the jump between describing the barn and the farmhouse could be smoother. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus, avoiding repetitive sentence structures at the start of your paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'constructed,' 'converted,' and 'developments.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'soft trees' (likely meaning 'fruit' or 'deciduous') and 'at the joining of two roads' (which could be more naturally expressed as 'at the junction'). The repetition of 'the other side of the road/track' also limits the sophistication of your writing. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise geographical and descriptive vocabulary, such as 'situated,' 'adjacent to,' or 'transformed.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('In today plan'), subject-verb agreement ('The plans shows'), and tense consistency ('it look like'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing commas and awkward spacing. To improve, proofread your work specifically for basic errors like pluralization and verb tense. Focus on ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately, as errors in these structures can sometimes impede the flow of your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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