Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-25
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 5.0)
The plan illustrates the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.
Overall, it seems that the farm has been expanded and modernized by covering the land that was left in 1950.
In the year 1950, the farm was relatively simple in design which was used mostly for sheep gazing. However today in the place of sheep gazing they built a camping side in the middle and parking at the side of the road near camping side. In previous year 1950, there was a triangular intersection but today there is road with unaltered shape and direction.
In the southern part fruit tress, soft fruits, and vegetable are unchanged sole addition is farm shop near road. Further east, a farmhouse, chicken remain unchanged but the position of barn has changed and holiday cottage has been added. And at the opposing side beside the river there is a parking with solar panels.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the farm site in 1950 and today. You have identified key changes such as the camping site, parking, and the addition of the holiday cottage. However, the report lacks precision in describing the spatial layout. For example, stating 'the position of barn has changed' is vague without specifying the direction or relative location. Furthermore, some information is inaccurate, such as the claim that the road shape is 'unaltered' when the plan shows a clear change from a triangular intersection to a different layout. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are factually accurate and provide more specific details regarding the location of features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the overview to specific details. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, the phrase 'In previous year 1950' is awkward, and the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'the land that was left in 1950', which does not clearly link to the visual information. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'sheep gazing' (instead of grazing), 'camping side' (instead of site), and 'fruit tress' (spelling error). These errors occasionally distract the reader. While you have attempted to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'modernised' and 'intersection', the range is limited. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology for describing maps and ensure that common collocations are used correctly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the writing. Examples include 'the farm was relatively simple in design which was used mostly for sheep gazing' (incorrect relative clause structure) and 'the position of barn has changed' (missing article). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would be beneficial.
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.