Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given maps shows how a farm called beechwood has been developed today.
Overall, the most noticeable change is being installation of parking, camping field, and solar panels in the place of sheep farm. Meanwhile the track has been transformed to road in modern times.
To begin with, in the year 1950 there was a huge sheep farm towards the right side of the track when going to the main road and now it have been developed with 2 parking areas first parking lot is located at the left side while entering to the farm and another is located at the end of the farm below the solar panels. There is a tree and along side 2 camping field in the middle of the area.
Furthermore, farm shop have been installed in the front of the fruit trees facing towards the road. After going straight and slightly right towards the triangle barn area have been introduced which was located at the end of the farm and holiday cottages has been established at that previous place.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying the key changes such as the introduction of parking, solar panels, and holiday cottages. However, the description is somewhat disorganized and lacks a clear, analytical comparison. For instance, the transition from the sheep farm to the current layout is described in a way that is difficult to visualize. While the main features are mentioned, the report lacks a cohesive summary of the spatial changes, and some details are slightly inaccurate or confusingly phrased, such as the description of the 'triangle barn area'. To improve, ensure that comparisons are more precise and that the overall layout is described logically.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow of information is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'located at'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial progression across the site. For example, the transition between the parking areas and the camping fields lacks smooth logical connectors. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There is a reliance on basic descriptive terms like 'huge', 'developed', and 'installed'. Some word choices are slightly unnatural, such as 'developed with 2 parking areas' or 'along side 2 camping field'. There are also minor errors in pluralization and collocation. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more varied and precise terminology related to map description, such as 'converted', 'replaced', 'situated', or 'adjacent to'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The given maps shows', 'farm shop have been installed', 'holiday cottages has been established') and incorrect article usage. While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors in basic grammar prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage (specifically the present perfect for changes) would be highly beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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