Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-07
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 two plans provide the map of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.
Overall, area of the Beechwood Farm has remained the same throughout. Although, vigilant changes took place by the passing of time. A massive change is shown in the maps lessening the area acquired by sheep by adding a parking area, solar panels and camping field. The land taken by vegetables and soft fruits has been the same.
On having an eye, it is clearly shown that roads are constructed which were previously tracks used for walk. These roads pass through the middle portion of the farm. The barn is now smaller than before and is moved near the bank of river. No changes are made for farmhouse and chickens.
On the other hand, new holiday cottages are constructed at the place covered by barn before. In the west side, a small farm shop is made where the fruit trees are grown. An additional parking space is also placed making it two as compared to before with a just a single plot of parking.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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, including the reduction in sheep farming and the addition of new facilities like solar panels and holiday cottages. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. For example, the statement that the land for vegetables and soft fruits has remained the same is inaccurate based on the visual evidence, which shows a clear expansion. Additionally, the description of the barn being 'moved' is imprecise; the map shows the original barn was replaced by cottages and a new, smaller barn was built elsewhere. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that all comparisons are factually accurate and that you provide more precise details regarding the locations and scale of the changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices is present, such as 'On the other hand' and 'Overall', but some transitions feel mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'On having an eye'. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more cohesive narrative. The paragraphing is appropriate for the task, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow, even if the logical progression between specific points could be more sophisticated.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'solar panels', 'holiday cottages', and 'parking area'. However, there are instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'vigilant changes' (which is incorrect in this context) and 'lessening the area acquired by sheep'. The phrase 'On having an eye' is also non-standard. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations for describing geographical changes, such as 'transformed', 'replaced', or 'expanded', rather than relying on general verbs. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points but lacks the precision required for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. Examples include 'area of the Beechwood Farm has remained' (missing article), 'by the passing of time' (unnatural phrasing), and 'with a just a single plot' (redundant article). There are also issues with preposition usage and verb tense consistency. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching the 7.0 band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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