Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-10

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 5.0)

The map illustrates the changes that have taken place in Beechwood farm in between 1950 and the present day.

Overall, the area had undergone a significant development, with several new facilities such as parking, cottages, solar panels, camping field being introduced and some exciting features were removed or replaced.

In 1950, the farm was primarily used for agricultural purpose. Fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables occupied the central and the western part. In the eastern part was a barn, a farmhouse and an area for chicken. The north easte

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the ability to fully address the task. While the introduction and overview are present, the description of the changes is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence. Because the response is unfinished, it fails to report all main features or provide a comprehensive comparison between the two time periods. To improve, you must ensure you complete the description of all key areas shown on the maps and provide a more detailed analysis of the transformations to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a full understanding of the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic attempt at logical organization with an introduction, an overview, and the start of a body paragraph. However, because the text is incomplete and ends abruptly, it is impossible to assess the overall progression or the effective use of cohesive devices throughout a full essay. The paragraphing is appropriate for the small amount of text provided, but the lack of completion prevents the development of a coherent structure. To improve, focus on planning your response to ensure you have enough time to describe all relevant features and conclude your thoughts properly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'significant development', 'agricultural purpose', and 'facilities' used correctly. However, the range is limited due to the brevity of the response. There are minor errors, such as 'in between 1950 and the present day' (the 'in' is redundant) and 'north easte' (an incomplete word). To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of precise vocabulary related to map descriptions, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'relocated', and ensure all words are spelled correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The sentences produced are grammatically sound, such as 'The map illustrates the changes that have taken place'. However, the range of structures is limited because the response is unfinished. There is a minor error in the first sentence regarding the use of 'in between', and the final sentence is incomplete, which affects the overall grammatical accuracy. To improve, practice using a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice to describe the changes, and ensure you proofread your work to avoid incomplete sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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