Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-08
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)
Two road maps of Beechwood Farm that illustrate the plans for the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today. There are numerous changes. Overall, in the past there was a street of fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, chickens, a farmhouse, and the barn between the track and a river, whereas that street now has a farm shop additionally, the barn is located before the chickens, farmhouse, and holiday cottages are also built there, between the river and the road. Moreover, parking areas, a camping field, and the solar panels are now included.
In 1950, there were simple tracks and the river. Between these fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables were located. Later, they added chickens, a farmhouse, and then the barn.
In today's plan, they have developed and added a lot. There is a farm shop with fruit trees. Soft fruits and vegetables section. Then the barn was connected to the two roads. Afterward, the chicken area was built. A farmhouse with holiday cottages. On one side, there is a river, and on the other side, they built a camping field and parking area. The solar panels were installed with another parking area.
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 provides a general overview of the changes at Beechwood Farm, identifying key additions such as the farm shop, holiday cottages, and solar panels. However, the report lacks precision in describing the spatial layout. For instance, the description of the barn's location is confusing, and the summary of the 1950s layout is somewhat disjointed. While the main features are mentioned, the comparison between the two time periods is not fully developed, and some details are presented as a list rather than a cohesive analysis of the site's transformation. To reach a higher band, focus on grouping features logically (e.g., agricultural vs. commercial/residential) and using more precise comparative language.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the past to the present. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For example, the transition 'Afterward, the chicken area was built' feels abrupt, and the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the sentence 'the barn is located before the chickens'. The flow between sentences is often choppy, and the logical connection between the 1950s layout and the current state could be strengthened by using more sophisticated linking words to contrast the two periods effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You rely heavily on simple verbs like 'added', 'built', and 'included'. While you successfully identify specific features like 'holiday cottages' and 'solar panels', there is a lack of variety in your descriptive language. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'converted', 'expanded', 'replaced', or 'situated'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the range of vocabulary is limited, which prevents the response from achieving a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. For example, the opening sentence is a fragment ('Two road maps... that illustrate...'), and there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrases, such as 'between these fruit trees... were located'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the control over complex structures is inconsistent. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring every sentence has a clear main verb will significantly improve the accuracy and readability of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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