Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-05
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 picture compares a Beechwood farm from two different timelines,1950 and today.A lot of changes happens in the farm during these years.
Major changes include the addition of two parking lots,camping feilds and solar panels.However,Many things also remain the same which are Fruit trees,Soft foods and,Vegetables.
The significant changes happens in place where sheeps are kept .The parking lot were built, one on the left side of road and other of the right side of road. Solar panel were installed on the left side, And camping feild on the right side.The track changes into road. Beneath the road holiday cottages are made in the place of barn, And barn placed near the tringal shape road.The Framhouse and chicken place didn't change.Fruit trees, soft fruit and vegetables are at the same place alongside the river.However the farm shop opens near the fruit tress.The picture illustrate significant modification of beechwood farm from 1950 to today.
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 addition of parking lots, camping fields, and solar panels. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you mention that some things remain the same, the reporting of specific locations is occasionally confusing (e.g., 'barn placed near the tringal shape road'). To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant trends—such as the transition from a purely agricultural site to one incorporating tourism and renewable energy—rather than just listing features. The summary is present but could be more cohesive.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is somewhat disjointed. You use some cohesive devices like 'However' and 'The significant changes', but the progression of ideas feels like a list of observations rather than a structured comparison. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when you refer to 'the place where sheeps are kept' without clearly linking it to the original map's layout. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be improved by grouping related changes (e.g., infrastructure vs. agricultural features) to create a more logical flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision. You use basic terms like 'things' and 'place', which could be replaced with more specific academic vocabulary such as 'features', 'structures', or 'facilities'. There are also some spelling errors, such as 'feilds' (fields), 'sheeps' (sheep), and 'tringal' (triangular), which detract from the overall quality. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology for map descriptions, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'converted into', or 'replaced by', and ensure accurate spelling of basic nouns.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('changes happens', 'parking lot were built') and article usage ('the farm', 'a lot of changes'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several instances of missing spaces after commas or periods. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and sentence construction limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage (using the past tense for 1950 and present for current features) will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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