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 below illustrate the changes Beechwood Farm had undergone from the year 1950 till today. Overall, the farm had gone through so many changes and had been made into a tourist attraction. The tracks were replaced by roads for an easy access. And the large field used by sheep is turned into a camping field.

The tracks were replaced by roads. A new farm shop is setup near the fruit trees. Opposite to the farm shop a parking space is provided. Holiday cottages are built in the place of the barn. And the barn is shifted beside the chickens and a small path is laid to access the barn.

The large field that was used by sheep was turned into a camping field on one side and solar panels were setup on the other side with a small parking space in the corner. However, the places where the farmhouse, chickens, soft fruits and vegetables are located were not changed or replaced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the farm's transformation, such as the conversion of the sheep field into a camping area and the addition of tourist facilities. You provided a clear overview in the introduction. However, the response lacks a more analytical approach to comparing the two maps. For instance, you mention the barn was shifted, but you could have more clearly contrasted the original layout with the modern one by grouping features more logically. While you covered the main changes, the report feels a bit like a list of individual changes rather than a cohesive summary of the site's evolution.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the description. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, you start several sentences with 'The tracks were...' or 'The large field...'. Using a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Additionally') would improve the flow. Additionally, some sentences are quite short and choppy, which limits the overall coherence of the text. Improving the transition between sentences would elevate the score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'tourist attraction,' 'camping field,' and 'solar panels.' However, the vocabulary is somewhat basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'made into' or 'turned into' are used frequently. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise and varied terminology, such as 'converted into,' 'transformed,' or 'redeveloped.' There are no significant spelling errors, but the lack of sophisticated or less common lexical items keeps the score in the adequate range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'The plans below illustrate the changes Beechwood Farm had undergone' should be 'has undergone' or 'underwent.' Additionally, 'a new farm shop is setup' should be 'is set up' (phrasal verb). You also use 'And' to start sentences, which is generally discouraged in formal academic writing. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a wider variety of complex grammatical structures.

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.