Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14
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 plans compare the map of beechwood farm of year 1950 and recent developments that have made.
Overall, there are significant number of changes that have been added in a fresh map such as addition of solar panels and many other conversion of places make the beechwood area more contemporary as compared to past one's.
In past, the area of farm was very simple with few facilities while recent map comes with great designing as well as facilities. One thing that is common in both the farms is that they are surrounded by a beautiful river, which adds beauty naturally. By 1950, there was a large space that was occoupied for sheep but now that is converted into pace for camping, parking and solar panels. Ordinary track is redeveloped by smooth roads. Furthermore, holiday cottages have been added along with farmhouse and barn. Remaining map shows soft fruits , vegetables and fruit trees stay same but there is solely a addition of farm shop near fruit trees.
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 attempts to cover the main features of the two farm plans, noting key transformations such as the addition of solar panels, holiday cottages, and parking spaces, alongside features that remained consistent, such as the surrounding river and fruit trees. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic ('significant number of changes that have been added in a fresh map'), and comparisons lack precision in terms of spatial orientation and specific naming of features. Key details, such as the exact conversion of the old farmhouse, tractor shed, and specific crop areas, are somewhat vaguely handled. While the response addresses the prompt and identifies several major changes, the lack of a fully developed, data-driven overview and detailed comparisons limits the score to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is organized into four paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by body details. However, the logical progression is hindered by awkward transitions and repetitive sentence beginnings (e.g., starting multiple sentences with 'In past', 'One thing', or 'By 1950'). Cohesive devices are used somewhat mechanically or inaccurately, such as 'By 1950, there was a large space that was occoupied...' where 'In 1950' would be more appropriate for the starting point of the comparison. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and paragraphing is basic. Overall, the arrangement provides a coherent general picture, but the structural flow and cohesion require better management, aligning with a Band 5.5.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic concepts about the maps, such as 'contemporary', 'facilities', and 'solar panels'. However, the range is limited, and there are several noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'fresh map', 'conversion of places make', and the misspelling 'occoupied'. Attempts at less common vocabulary sometimes result in awkward phrasing, such as 'great designing'. While the communication of the main features is mostly clear, the lexical limitations and repetitive use of basic terms restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('that are surrounded by a beautiful river') and subordinate clauses. However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent, leading to frequent errors. Examples include tense inconsistencies ('In past, the area of farm was... recent map comes with'), missing articles ('map of beechwood farm of year 1950', 'addition of farm shop'), and incorrect preposition use ('added along with farmhouse'). These errors occasionally cause difficulty or hesitation for the reader, placing the grammatical performance firmly within the Band 5.0 descriptor range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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