Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-21
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 compare beechwood farm in 1950 and today.
overall the farm has undergone some renovation over the period of time. A lot of area in the farm has been covered by parking, camping site and solar panels, making fully packed farm.
In 1950 the farm, connected by the main road and river by side, had fruit trees, which now has farm shop, soft fruits and vegetables and bran. at the end of the farm, there is site for chickens, a farm house and holiday cottages, for visitor's stay and rest.
one side if farm was covered by river while the other interconnected track within the farm has now changed into tough road.
Along with the track, the farm had sheep, which has now replaced by camping field with two parking. Beside camping area, the farm has installed solar panels.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| 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 task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the farm's transformation, the description is somewhat superficial. You mention the addition of solar panels and a camping site, but the analysis lacks detail regarding the spatial layout and the specific nature of the changes. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the key changes and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for full development of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by the lack of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as the jump between the description of the farm in 1950 and the current state. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'a lot of area' and 'fully packed farm' are imprecise. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'tough road' instead of 'paved road' or 'access road'. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise descriptive language related to maps and changes, such as 'transformed', 'converted', 'replaced by', or 'expanded'. Expanding your range of synonyms will help you describe the features of the farm more accurately and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('one side if farm', 'by side'), subject-verb agreement ('which has now replaced by'), and punctuation. The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly the use of passive voice, which is essential for describing map changes (e.g., 'The fruit trees were replaced by a farm shop'). Consistent proofreading for small errors like missing prepositions or incorrect verb forms will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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