Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-20
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 maps below depict the changes at the site of farm in 1950 with comparing it to current day.
overall, the farm experienced with significant development with addition of recreational areas and several new facilities constructed to meet the needs of people.
in 1950, the eastern part of a farm was mostly covered by sheep area. Today this area had been divided into 4 mains parts with solar panels on its eastern side alongside parking and camping field in between both of these sides. by moving towards west we can clearly see that farm shop had been opened by cutting down some fruit trees.
in the southern part, tracks had been replaced with roads by connecting it with small barn. Barn that has been there for so long had divided into 3 equal holiday cottages alongside road whereas, chickens, farmhouse, bridge, soft fruits remains at their places
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the maps, such as the addition of solar panels, the farm shop, and the conversion of the barn into holiday cottages, the analysis is somewhat brief. You have made some comparisons between 1950 and the present day, but the overview is quite general. To improve, ensure you provide a more detailed description of the spatial changes and ensure the response meets the length requirement to fully develop your points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, phrases like 'by moving towards west' and 'in the southern part' are used to transition, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. The paragraphing is present but could be more effectively structured to separate the overview from the specific details. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear referencing would enhance the logical progression of your ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used some relevant vocabulary related to the task, such as 'recreational areas', 'facilities', and 'holiday cottages'. However, there are instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'sheep area' (which should be 'grazing land' or 'pasture') and 'remains at their places'. The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Focusing on more accurate collocations and descriptive nouns will help you convey information more effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of your writing, such as 'the farm experienced with significant development' (should be 'experienced significant development') and 'Barn that has been there for so long had divided' (should be 'The barn... has been divided'). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and verb tense consistency. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage will improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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