Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-27

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 map describes the layout of beechwood farm in 1950 and the changes that happen in present.

overall, it can be said that, there are many changes happens in the present at beechwood farm in present empty space is covered.

in the past, in beechwood farm river flew from west to south-east. the east side there was a barn farmhouse and chickens. The road was from west to north. in the northern side, there was sheep. left side of road there was fruit tress planted near it it there was soft fruit area next to it there was a area where vegetables was grown. a track was connected to road and east direction.

in the present river, road, chicken, soft fruits and vegetable area, farmhouse remain at same place. in the north east direction solar panels are installed and parking area is made.in the north direction camping field for camps and parking area is constructed. near to fruit trees area farm shop is made. on the place of Barn holiday cottages are constructed. barn is shifted near to chickens. track is converted into road.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying key changes such as the addition of solar panels, the farm shop, and the conversion of the barn into holiday cottages. However, the overview is somewhat weak and lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends. While the response identifies the main features, the description of the layout is occasionally repetitive and lacks the precision required for a higher band. The comparison between the two periods is present, but it could be more effectively integrated to highlight the transformation of the site more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the past to the present. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and mechanical. There is a reliance on simple sentence structures and repetitive transitions like 'in the north direction' or 'next to it'. The flow between sentences is sometimes disjointed, and the lack of varied linking words makes the text feel a bit list-like. Improved use of referencing and transition signals would enhance the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'there was' and 'is made' are used frequently, which limits the range of expression. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'river flew' (should be 'flowed') and 'fruit tress' (spelling error). To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise descriptive vocabulary related to map changes, such as 'transformed', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'replaced'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('many changes happens', 'vegetables was grown') and article usage ('in the north-east direction', 'on the place of Barn'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the persistence of basic grammatical errors prevent a higher score. More attention to verb tenses and consistent use of articles is necessary.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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