Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24
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 4.5)
The given map illustrates the comparison between beechwood farm of 1950 and 2026:
In 1950, there were fruit trees , soft fruit, vegetables and four different tracks , a barn, a farmhouse and chikens whereas in 2026, there is a parking, a farm shop,some fruit trees, soft fruits, some vegetables, several roads connected to a barn ,a parking just below solar panels a road above the holiday cottages, a farmhouse and some chickens.in 2026, a camping field is also present but in 2026 there are no tracks but in both the years a source of water[river] is present but in 1950 there is no solar panel.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While the student identifies some key features of the two maps, the description is overly simplistic and lacks a clear overview or summary of the main trends. The information is presented as a list of items rather than a cohesive report, and the comparison between the two time periods is underdeveloped. To improve, the student should aim to group features logically, provide a clear introductory overview, and ensure all significant changes are described in detail to meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The response lacks paragraphing, which makes it difficult to follow. The text is essentially a single, run-on paragraph that jumps between features without a logical progression. Cohesive devices are either missing or used repetitively (e.g., 'whereas', 'but'). There is no clear structure to guide the reader through the comparison of the two maps. To improve, the student should use separate paragraphs for the introduction, overview, and specific details, and employ a wider range of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on the words provided in the prompt (e.g., 'fruit trees', 'soft fruit', 'vegetables'). There are also spelling errors such as 'chikens' and 'parking' used as a countable noun where 'car park' would be more appropriate. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the ability to describe changes or trends effectively. To improve, the student should learn synonyms for common map features and practice using more precise terminology to describe spatial relationships and developments.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response consists of a few long, poorly punctuated sentences. There are frequent errors in basic grammar, such as missing articles ('a source of water'), incorrect verb tenses ('there is no solar panel' referring to 1950), and inconsistent punctuation. The sentence structures are simple and lack the complexity required for higher bands. To improve, the student needs to focus on basic sentence construction, correct use of articles, and ensuring that verb tenses accurately reflect the timeline of the maps.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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