Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02
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 maps illustrate the significant changes that a farm experienced from 1950 to the present day.
Overall, it can clearly be seen that the farm has undergone considerable development, with the sheep yard being replaced by four different facilities. However, there are so many facilities that remained unchanged throughout the period.
Looking at the northeast side, large area made for sheep is now replaced by two parking area, camping field and solar panels. Additionally, track is now transformed into road which has direct access to barn. In southeast side everything remaining the same but barn was replaced by holiday cottages.
Intrestingly, there are various features that remained unchanged like fruit trees, soft fruits vegetables and river. Although the fruit trees is not changed the area was reduced and the farm shop is being added.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the maps, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You mention the replacement of the sheep yard and the addition of new facilities, but the description lacks sufficient detail and comparative depth. For instance, the transition from a track to a road and the specific layout changes in the southeast could have been elaborated upon to provide a more comprehensive overview. To improve, ensure you cover all significant changes with enough detail to meet the length requirement and provide a more thorough summary of the spatial transformations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of information. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Overall', 'Looking at', and 'Additionally', to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be more balanced to ensure a smoother transition between the overview and the specific details. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus that connects logically to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'undergone considerable development', 'facilities', and 'transformed'. However, there are some inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'large area made for sheep' (should be 'a large area previously used for sheep') and 'everything remaining the same' (should be 'remained unchanged'). The vocabulary is functional but lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, work on using more precise collocations and ensure that your word choices are grammatically appropriate for the context of describing map changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that detract from the quality of the writing. Examples include 'the fruit trees is not changed' (subject-verb agreement error), 'two parking area' (pluralization error), and 'In southeast side' (missing article). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, plural forms, and the correct use of articles, especially when describing specific locations on a map.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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