Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-31

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 given graphs illustrate the possible changes in place of the beechwood farm located in between river and the road in the year 1950 and the current site.

Overall, the beechwood farm is changed with many things with little similarities as compared to 1950. for instance, The sheep region is converted into many things while the things on the edge of the river remains almost the same.

The sheep area is transformed into two portions. One part is of solar panels followed by the other which have trees and camping field. The same thing is that the both areas have parking place. Also, the barn is changed to holiday cottages.

Also, there are little similarities in the plans. For instance, the areas on the edge of the river like fruit trees, soft fruits ,vegetables, chickens, farmhouse retain the same. In short, the current graph is made with the necessities of today so as to made the farm more beautiful and presentable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have identified the main features of the farm's transformation, such as the conversion of the sheep area and the repurposing of the barn. However, the response lacks precision in describing the spatial layout. For instance, you mention the sheep area is converted into 'two portions' but do not clearly contrast the specific locations or the scale of these changes. Furthermore, the description of the river area is somewhat vague; mentioning that things 'remain almost the same' is a good start, but you should explicitly list the features that were retained to provide a more comprehensive summary. To improve, ensure you provide a clearer overview of the most significant changes rather than just listing individual items.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'For instance' and 'Also' are used frequently, which limits the flow of the text. Additionally, some transitions are awkward, such as 'The same thing is that the both areas have parking place,' which makes the logical connection between sentences feel disjointed. To achieve a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that guides the reader through the comparison of the two time periods.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'things' and 'changed,' which are imprecise. For example, instead of saying 'the sheep region is converted into many things,' you should use more specific terminology such as 'the sheep grazing area was repurposed' or 'the land was redeveloped.' There are also some minor errors in collocation, such as 'the current graph is made with the necessities of today.' Expanding your range to include more academic vocabulary related to maps and changes would significantly improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'the beechwood farm is changed with many things' is grammatically awkward; 'has undergone many changes' would be more accurate. There are also issues with articles and prepositions, such as 'in between river and the road' (missing 'the') and 'the both areas' (incorrect usage). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage will help improve your accuracy.

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

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