Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-16
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 6.0)
The two maps compare the changes that have occurred at Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day. Overall, the site of the farm has significantly changed throughout the period, with the sheep area having been completely removed. However, the vegetable, soft fruit, and fruit tree plots remained unchanged. In addition, several new tourism-related facilities were introduced, such as a camping field and parking area.
In 1950, there was a sheep area on the northern side of the farm. An unpaved track started from the east side and connected to the main road. The river flowed around the farmland, and the fruit tree, soft fruit, and vegetable plots were situated along the main road. The barn, farmhouse, and chicken area were located on the east side of the farm, between the river and the unpaved track.
On the other hand, the map of the present day shows that the sheep area has been removed and replaced by solar panels in the northeast corner of the farmland. Below this, a parking area is located, along with a camping field on the right side. Additionally, the previously unpaved track has now been turned into a proper road, and a new farm shop has been introduced in the fruit tree plot. And past barn area have been moved another place and replaced with holiday cottages area.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response effectively covers the main features of the maps comparing Beechwood Farm in 1950 and the present day. The student provides a clear overview noting major changes such as the removal of the sheep area, the addition of tourism facilities, and the retention of agricultural plots like soft fruits and vegetables. Key features are contrasted adequately between the two time periods, such as the evolution of the track into a proper road and the introduction of the farm shop, solar panels, and holiday cottages. Although there is a minor misstatement regarding the fruit tree plot remaining entirely unchanged (as a farm shop was added inside it), the task is well addressed overall, meeting the requirements of a Band 7 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear overall progression from an introductory overview to body paragraphs detailing the past layout and subsequent present-day developments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the 1950 map, and the current map. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, with transition phrases like 'In 1950', 'On the other hand', and 'Additionally' guiding the reader through the spatial and temporal comparisons. However, referencing is occasionally slightly loose, and some transitions feel a bit formulaic, keeping the response firmly within Band 7.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suited to describing maps and spatial changes, incorporating terms like 'tourism-related facilities', 'unpaved track', 'solar panels', and 'holiday cottages'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of collocation, though there are minor inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'past barn area have been moved another place'. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to allow precision and clarity throughout the description, fitting the Band 6.5 to 7 descriptor range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, utilising passive voice constructions ('have been removed', 'were situated') and subordinate clauses appropriately. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, notably 'the vegetable, soft fruit, and fruit tree plots remained unchanged' (tense shift inconsistency) and 'And past barn area have been moved another place and replaced with holiday cottages area' (missing articles, preposition errors, and subject-verb agreement issues). Despite these persistent minor errors, communication is not impeded, supporting a Band 6 score for grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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