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)
intro: the two maps illustrate the main changes that occurred at beechwood farm from 1950 and the present day.
overall the farm has experienced a lot of modernization over the time period. while there was agricultural site in 1950 it has now turned into a tourist spot which has holiday cottages, camping field and solar panels for renewable energy.
in 1950 the largest part of the beechwood farm was for sheep. the agriculture site that had fruit tress, soft fruits and vegetables along the river side. then there was a farmhouse, barn and chickens all connected with an unimproved track.
today the sheep area has been replaced by the camping field, solar panel area and parking. the agricultural area has remained the same there is only a addition of farm shop there and some improved roads have been made. the farmhouse area is almost the same expect for some changes like barn has shifted to opposite side and a holiday cottage has been introduced.
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 the transition from an agricultural site to a tourist-focused one. You successfully highlight key changes, such as the replacement of the sheep area with camping and solar panels. However, the report lacks precision in describing the spatial layout. For instance, stating the agricultural area 'remained the same' is inaccurate, as the map shows the removal of the fruit trees and the addition of a farm shop. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide more accurate comparisons and specific details regarding the location of features, rather than general statements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction and an overview. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, such as the jump from the farmhouse description to the barn. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the lack of varied linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') makes the flow feel repetitive. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would help the text read more naturally and improve the logical flow between the two time periods.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'a lot of modernization' and 'tourist spot', which are somewhat informal. There are also minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'agricultural site' instead of 'agricultural area' or 'farmland'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to map descriptions, such as 'transformed', 'converted', 'demolished', or 'expanded'. The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility needed for a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'there is only a addition' (should be 'an addition'), 'expect for some changes' (should be 'except'), and 'barn has shifted' (missing an article). Additionally, some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'while there was agricultural site in 1950'. The punctuation is generally functional, but the frequent minor errors in articles and prepositions prevent the text from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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