Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-12
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 given development plans illustrate how Beechwood Farm looked today and in 1950.
Overall, it is evident that it has changed significantly compared to the 1950s farm, with empty spaces covered by numerous new developments like a sheep area, which undergo major changes that make the farm look more elegant and picturesque.
Holiday cottages replaced the barn area, and a barn was built at both ends of the road on the south side. Although solar panels were installed on the north-east corner, camping fields were constructed on the north side with a large tree. There are two parking sections for visitors at the farm today. The farm shop was also part of the farm near the fruit trees and the road.
Firstly, the bridge is located at the same point, while the track that was located between the farm was converted into a road. Moreover, the river flowed exactly from the north-west corner towards the south-east side; fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, and the chicken section remained in the same place.
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 comparing the farm in 1950 with today. The student successfully identifies key changes, such as the addition of holiday cottages, camping fields, a farm shop, and parking areas, while also noting features that remained unchanged, like the bridge, river, and fruit trees. However, the overview is somewhat subjective and inaccurate in places, such as describing the developments as making the farm look 'more elegant and picturesque' rather than focusing strictly on objective spatial and structural changes. Furthermore, the opening sentence has a tense inconsistency ('looked today and in 1950'). Despite these minor flaws, all parts of the prompt are addressed, supporting a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay has a discernible overall structure, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing specific spatial transformations. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'Overall', 'Although', 'Firstly', and 'moreover', though some referencing and logical flow feel slightly mechanical or forced. Paragraphing is attempted, but the transition of ideas between sentences and paragraphs is occasionally disjointed, such as abruptly shifting from general developments to specific features like the bridge and river in the final paragraph. Progression is present, but grouping of information could be more logical to achieve a higher band score. This performance aligns well with Band 6.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps, including terms like 'developments', 'converted', 'flowed', and 'solar panels'. There are attempts at less common lexical items ('picturesque', 'significantly'), but some word choices are slightly unnatural or inaccurate in this specific Academic Task 1 context, such as 'elegant and picturesque'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient to meet the task requirements, justifying a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and subordinate structures ('while the track that was located between the farm was converted into a road', 'Although solar panels were installed...'). There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, notably the tense confusion in the opening sentence ('look today and in 1950') and minor preposition or article slips. However, these errors do not impede overall communication. The control of grammar is acceptable for a Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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