Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-28
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 view represents the site of farm in 1950 and in recent year .
Overview , the site is named beechwood farm as the river passes through the farm. However in 1950 there are fewer advancements in the site compared to recent year . The beechwood farm is now full with lots of advanced facilities.
First of all began with the farmhouse that is located in the same place as before . In right side of the farmhouse barn is located in 1950 but in recent year barn is shifted somewhere else and holiday cottages are built there. Beside the river there is a place where fruits and vegetables are grown .However there is no farm shop in 1950 but in recent year farm shop is built near the fruit trees .Whereas, in 1950 there is underdeveloped track but it is developed into roads today that is a great advancement . Today barn connected to the route of road . In 1950 there is a large space where sheeps are kept but in recent years it is filled with lots of facilities . Parking areas are built just beside the road and there is camping field near the parking area where solar panels are also installed .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the transformation, such as the addition of holiday cottages, the farm shop, and the road development. However, the analysis is somewhat descriptive rather than analytical. For instance, the mention of 'sheeps' (plural is sheep) and the general description of 'lots of facilities' lacks the precision required for a higher band. While the main changes are identified, the comparison between the two time periods could be more effectively synthesized to highlight the shift from a purely agricultural site to a commercial/tourist-oriented one. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated into the structure.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'in 1950' and 'in recent year'. The transition between ideas is sometimes abrupt, particularly when moving between the farmhouse, the barn, and the road. While there is an overall logical progression, the lack of varied linking words and the somewhat disjointed sentence structure limit the flow of the text. Improving the use of referencing and transition signals would enhance the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. The student relies on basic descriptors like 'advanced facilities' and 'great advancement' rather than more specific terminology related to land use or development. There are also some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'in recent year' (should be 'in recent years') and 'underdeveloped track'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to maps and changes, such as 'converted', 'replaced', 'expanded', or 'modernized'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the site of farm' (missing article), 'there are fewer advancements' (tense inconsistency with the 1950 context), and 'barn connected to the route of road' (missing articles and awkward phrasing). While the meaning is generally clear, the control over articles and verb tenses is inconsistent. Increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the accuracy and sophistication of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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