Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-18
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 two plans illustrate the changes that have taken place at Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day.
Overall, the agricultural areas on the western side of the farm have remained largely unchanged, while the eastern part has undergone considerable redevelopment. The sheep-grazing area has been removed, and the farm has been diversified through the addition of tourism-related facilities and solar panels.
Looking first at the features that remained unchanged, the fruit trees, soft-fruit fields and vegetable fields have retained their original positions. The river has also continued to form the southern boundary of the site. In addition, the farmhouse and chicken enclosure have remained in the same general area. However, the large area formerly used for sheep has disappeared and has been replaced by a camping field and other new facilities.
Turning to the major developments, the original network of tracks has been replaced by roads, providing access to different parts of the site. The barn has also been relocated from the eastern side to a more central position. Furthermore, a farm shop and parking area have been added near the entrance, while another parking area and several holiday cottages have been constructed in the eastern section. Finally, solar panels have been installed in the northeastern corner.
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 key features of the farm's transformation, including the removal of sheep-grazing, the addition of tourism facilities, and the installation of solar panels. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the contrast between the unchanged western side and the redeveloped eastern side. You have made relevant comparisons between 1950 and the present day, such as noting the relocation of the barn and the transition from tracks to roads. The information is well-selected and logically presented, fully satisfying the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. You use clear paragraphing to separate the overview, the unchanged features, and the major developments. Cohesive devices such as 'Looking first at', 'In addition', 'Turning to', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. The referencing is precise, and the flow between sentences is natural. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage; the structure supports the content perfectly throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes. Phrases such as 'undergone considerable redevelopment', 'diversified', and 'retained their original positions' show a high level of lexical control. You use topic-specific vocabulary accurately, such as 'agricultural areas', 'solar panels', and 'holiday cottages'. The word choices are sophisticated and contribute to a natural, academic tone. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the range is more than sufficient to convey the information with precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'The sheep-grazing area has been removed, and the farm has been diversified through the addition of tourism-related facilities and solar panels.' The use of passive voice is appropriate for describing changes in a site plan. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence variety is excellent, and the writing is error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
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