Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-09
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 maps cover the different between the site of a farm in 1950 and the site today.
Overall , the plans shows that the main structure of the farm remain the same such as a river ,bridge and the road .Todays atlas demonstrates that a few new sectors is added in the structures of farm such as solar panels , parking and camping field .
The maps describes that the overall structure remain the same such as plot for the farm , river on the back side of the farm and the road beside the farm .the plans defines that a few new portions is introduced in the farm such as solar panels is introduced in the area of sheep and two parking is made in this area and some trees is grown in same area. The maps illustrates that the locality of the barn is changed and at the place of barn holiday cottage is made.The plans also explains that the the zone of fruit trees is is divided into farm shop and fruit trees . The tracked is changed into the road.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main features of the maps, such as the addition of solar panels, parking, and the conversion of the barn into a holiday cottage. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main changes are noted, the response would benefit from more precise comparisons between the 1950 layout and the current site. For instance, stating that the 'overall structure remains the same' is a broad generalization that ignores significant modifications like the removal of the barn and the expansion of the road network. To improve, focus on grouping features more logically and highlighting the most significant transformations rather than listing every detail.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which is a reasonable structure. However, the flow of ideas is hindered by repetitive phrasing and a lack of varied cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often mechanical, relying on simple structures like 'The maps describes that' or 'The plans defines that'. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, and the logical progression between the introduction of new features and the modification of existing ones could be smoother. To reach a higher band, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') to connect ideas more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, with several word-choice errors. For example, the student uses 'atlas' to refer to a map, which is inaccurate in this context. There is also a tendency to repeat phrases like 'the plans shows' and 'is introduced'. While the student manages to convey the basic meaning, the range is not sufficient to demonstrate flexibility or precision. To improve, avoid repeating the same verbs and nouns; instead, use synonyms and more specific terminology related to map descriptions, such as 'transformed', 'converted', 'extended', or 'replaced'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the plans shows', 'a few new sectors is added', 'some trees is grown'). There are also issues with pluralization and article usage. While the student attempts some complex sentence structures, these are often marred by errors that occasionally make the meaning slightly awkward. The punctuation is generally functional, but the control over basic grammar needs significant improvement to ensure clarity and accuracy. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would greatly enhance the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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