Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29
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 picture illustrates the difference between the year 1950 and present.
As we can see, a lot of things changed over time. Parking, camping, solar panels added where it used to a place entirely reserved for sheeps. Also, tracks have transformed into roads and a farm shop is added to the place of fruit trees .
If we look at the picture of 1950, the largest amount of area preserved for sheeps. Then, a similar amount of area kept for fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables. After that, the second largest area is preserved for barn and farmhouse which basically built for chickens. We can also see, a river is flowing at the side. Furthermore, we can see a track which is situated at the opposite side of river.
Now, if we look at the picture of present time, a dramatic change has occurred. A farm shop has built in the place of fruit trees. Again, holliday cottages replaced the place of barn. The area reserved for sheeps has completely replaced by parking, camping field, solar panels. Another noticeable change which is track has transformed into roads.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the maps, identifying the key changes such as the replacement of agricultural land with leisure and energy facilities. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the shift from agricultural production to commercial and recreational use. The description of the 1950 layout is somewhat repetitive, and the comparison between the two time periods could be more analytical. To improve, ensure you group information logically rather than just listing changes, and provide a more comprehensive overview in the introduction or conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the past to the present. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'As we can see', 'Also', 'Furthermore', 'Now, if we look at'). Some transitions feel forced, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'Another noticeable change which is track has transformed into roads', which lacks a smooth connection to the previous point. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring better flow between sentences would enhance the coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the changes described. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'reserved for sheeps' (sheep is uncountable), 'basically built for chickens', and 'holliday cottages' (spelling error). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and relies on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should use more precise terminology related to map descriptions, such as 'converted into', 'replaced by', or 'developed into', and ensure accurate spelling and pluralisation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and passive voice construction (e.g., 'a farm shop has built' instead of 'has been built', 'area reserved for sheeps has completely replaced by' instead of 'has been replaced by'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage also need attention. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall clarity of the writing. Focusing on consistent use of the passive voice for describing changes would significantly improve accuracy.
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.