Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)
The maps compare the layout of Beechwood Farm in 1950 with its present-day arrangement.
Overall, the farm has been modernised considerably. While the areas used for growing fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables have remained unchanged, the sheep field has been replaced by tourist facilities and solar panels. In addition, tracks have been upgraded to roads, and several new buildings and parking areas have been added.
In 1950, a large sheep pasture occupied the northern part of the farm. Fruit trees were located in the west, while soft fruits and vegetables were grown in the central and southern sections. A network of tracks connected the fields to a barn and a farmhouse in the southeast. Chickens were kept in a small enclosure nearby.
Today, the sheep field has disappeared and been replaced by a camping field and a solar-panel area. A farm shop and two parking lots have also been constructed. The original barn has been relocated south of the road junction, and holiday cottages now stand on its former site. However, the farmhouse, chicken area and crop fields remain largely unchanged.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all the key changes, such as the replacement of the sheep field with tourist facilities and the relocation of the barn. The overview clearly highlights the main trend of modernisation, and the comparisons between 1950 and the present day are accurate and well-supported by the details provided. You have covered all parts of the task effectively, ensuring that the reader can easily visualise the transformation of the farm site. The information is logically selected and reported without unnecessary detail, meeting the requirements for a high-band response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is well-organised with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the overview, the 1950 layout, and the current layout. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Today' are used naturally to link ideas and guide the reader through the comparison. The flow of information is smooth, and each paragraph has a clear focus, which makes the report very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You have used a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes. Phrases like 'modernised considerably', 'remained unchanged', 'relocated', and 'constructed' are precise and fit the context perfectly. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, avoiding repetition. You demonstrate a good awareness of collocation, such as 'road junction' and 'tourist facilities'. The language is natural and sophisticated, which allows for a clear and concise description of the spatial changes between the two time periods.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The grammatical control is excellent throughout the response. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the passive voice ('has been replaced', 'have been upgraded', 'have been constructed') and subordinating conjunctions ('While the areas... have remained unchanged, the sheep field has been replaced...'). The sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The range of structures is sufficient to convey the information with precision, and there are no grammatical slips that impede communication or distract the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.