Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The maps compare the layout of Beechwood Farm in 1950 with its modernized version today.

Overall, the farm has undergone significant modernization to accommodate new facilities. The most notable changes include the addition of solar panels, parking spaces, holiday cottages, and a camping field, while the old tracks have been converted into paved roads.

In 1950, the farm was primarily agricultural. The northern and eastern areas were dedicated to sheep grazing. A track ran through the center, connecting a barn at the top, a farmhouse, and an area for chickens. In contrast, the western side of the track was divided into plots for fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables, bordered by a river.

Today, the layout has become much more commercialized. The sheep area in the north-east has been replaced by solar panels and a camping field, with two parking slots added nearby. The original central track is now a paved road. Furthermore, the old barn has been replaced by holiday cottages (while a smaller barn has been relocated to the south), and a farm shop has been opened next to the fruit trees.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully satisfies the requirements of Academic Task 1 by providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the maps. The student successfully identifies and reports the main features, such as the introduction of solar panels, holiday cottages, and the camping field, while making clear and relevant comparisons between 1950 and the present day. The overview paragraph effectively highlights the overarching trend of modernization and commercialization. All parts of the task are well-covered with accurate reporting of data from the visual prompts, earning a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. The essay begins with an introductory paragraph, moves smoothly into an effective overview, and then logically separates the description of the past layout from the present layout. Cohesive devices are used naturally and appropriately without being overly mechanical (e.g., 'In contrast', 'Furthermore'). Paragraphing is used sufficiently and contributes to the overall clarity of the comparison. Referencing is clear throughout, allowing the reader to follow the spatial and temporal changes with ease.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and spatial changes. Less common items such as 'commercialized', 'modernization', 'relocated', and 'dedicated to' are used skillfully. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, such as 'plots for fruit trees' and 'paved road'. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary choices contribute significantly to the fluency and clarity of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of sentence structures, combining simple and complex forms effectively (e.g., 'The sheep area in the north-east has been replaced by solar panels and a camping field, with two parking slots added nearby.'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and the writer demonstrates strong control over tense usage, shifting appropriately between the past simple for the 1950 map and the present perfect/simple for current changes. Punctuation is accurate and supports the flow of complex ideas.

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

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