Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-01
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 map illustrate the changes that took place in the Beachwood farm since 1950.
The maps compare the layout of the farm and provide information about the development. The farm became a tourist site as the area provides several new facilities for instance, holiday cottages, a farm house and newly constructed roads. Moreover, a significant development held in the northern side besides the main road, the whole area utilised efficiently by dividing it into three parts 2 parking areas developed on the two edges adjacent to the road, rest of the area used to establish solar power system to provide electricity through sunlight and a camping field.
Furthermore, alongside the road and opposite to parking farm shops are introduced to provide fresh fruits and vegetables direct from the farms. The position of the barn dislocated, in the recent map the barn placed next to the road and a holiday cottage is located where a barn used to be.
Overall, the farm has undergone considerable developments, with new facilities such as, parking, solar system, roads, residentials and farm shops. However, the land's existing structures being replaced in a better manner.
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 maps, identifying key changes such as the introduction of tourist facilities, the solar power system, and the relocation of the barn. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lists features rather than synthesising the most significant trends, such as the shift from a purely agricultural site to a commercial/tourist-oriented one. While the main features are reported, the description of the northern area is slightly confusing, and the comparison between the 1950 layout and the current one could be more precise. The response addresses the task requirements adequately but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of changes. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'Overall' are used to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'the whole area utilised efficiently by dividing it into three parts', which lacks a clear subject. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow within the second paragraph is somewhat cluttered, making it difficult to distinguish between the different zones of the farm clearly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'facilities', 'adjacent', and 'dislocated' used to describe the changes. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'significant development held' is unnatural; 'took place' or 'occurred' would be better. Similarly, 'residentials' is not the standard term for farm buildings or accommodation. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and sophistication needed for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The given map illustrate') and missing articles ('the barn placed next to the road'). Some sentences are fragmented or lack necessary verbs, such as 'the land's existing structures being replaced in a better manner'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to suggest a lack of control over complex structures. Improving the accuracy of verb tenses and sentence construction is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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