Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The two plans illustrate how a farm site has changed between 1950 and the present day.

Overall, the farm has undergone considerable development, with agricultural land being reduced and several new facilities and access routes being introduced. The most notable changes are the construction of additional buildings, the expansion of the road network and the replacement of some farmland with more modern amenities.

In 1950, the site was predominantly agricultural, with large areas of farmland occupying most of the land. A farmhouse was located on the site, while a number of fields were used for different purposes. There was also a relatively simple road system providing access to the main buildings and surrounding farmland. In addition, a pond and areas of woodland were present, contributing to the predominantly rural character of the site.

Today, the farm is considerably more developed. The original farmhouse remains, but additional buildings and facilities have been constructed around it. The road network has also been improved, providing easier access to different parts of the site. Some of the former fields have been converted into new functional areas, while certain natural features have either been reduced or incorporated into the modern layout.

Overall, the comparison shows a clear transition from a relatively simple, agriculture-focused farm in 1950 to a more developed and diversified site today, with improved infrastructure and a greater variety of facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively addresses the task by providing a clear overview and highlighting the main changes between 1950 and the present day. You successfully identified the key shifts, such as the reduction of farmland and the expansion of infrastructure. However, to reach a higher band, the response would benefit from more specific data points or comparative details. For instance, mentioning the specific number of new buildings or the transformation of specific field areas into facilities would provide a more precise summary of the visual information. The overview is well-constructed, and the main features are clearly reported, meeting the requirements for a high-level response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the general overview to specific details of the 1950 layout, followed by the modern-day changes. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'The original farmhouse remains', and 'Overall, the comparison shows' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different time periods and the summary. The flow is natural, and the reader can easily follow the development of the description without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and changes, such as 'undergone considerable development', 'predominantly agricultural', 'converted into', and 'diversified site'. The word choice is precise and contributes to the formal tone required for an Academic Task 1 response. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to urban planning or land use, such as 'encroachment', 'repurposed', or 'infrastructure expansion', to show greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You utilize a variety of complex structures, such as passive voice ('have been constructed', 'have been converted') and participial phrases ('providing easier access'), which are well-controlled. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms that enhance the readability of the text. The control over tense usage—shifting between the past for 1950 and the present perfect for the changes—is consistent and correct.

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

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