Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given maps illustrate the prior and substantial modifications of Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day.
Overall, it is clear that the Beechwood farm underwent several upgrades throughout the period of time till present day. The most notable features are new solar panels along with multiple parking spots in the north side of the farm. Meanwhile, the main track was transformed into a road.
Regarding the sheep, several modifications can be seen in present day, the new solar panels installed at the top right corner in the farm. Followed closely by the camping field constructed beside the solar panels, near the road. Two parking spots added beside the main road respectively.
Turning towards the river side of the field, a new farm shop added in the area of fruit trees. Moreover, the barn shifted at the corner of new roads in the middle of the farm. Additionally, the old barn replaced with The holiday cottages. Lastly, all the other features stayed at their original location
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 two maps, noting key changes such as the transformation of the track into a road, the addition of solar panels, parking lots, a farm shop, and holiday cottages. An overview is successfully provided in the second paragraph. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the spatial changes. For example, the student states that the 'old barn replaced with The holiday cottages' and that the 'barn shifted at the corner', whereas the maps show the original barn remains in place in the south while new holiday cottages were built where another structure or open space was previously. Additionally, the phrasing 'Regarding the sheep, several modifications can be seen in present day, the new solar panels installed...' is grammatically fragmented and lacks clear development. Overall, the task is addressed, but precision in describing spatial relationships prevents a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is divided into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then detailing specific changes across different areas of the farm. Cohesive devices and directional markers are attempted, such as 'Meanwhile', 'Regarding the sheep', and 'Turning towards the river side'. However, some transitions feel awkward or mechanical, such as 'the new solar panels installed at the top right corner in the farm. Followed closely by the camping field...', which results in sentence fragments rather than fully integrated complex clauses. Paragraphing is present and generally appropriate for the task, but referencing and logical flow occasionally falter when jumping between disparate locations on the map.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'modifications', 'upgrades', 'transformed', and 'constructed'. There are attempts at less common phrasing such as 'substantial modifications' and 'triangular junction' (though the latter is from the prompt). However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation issues, such as 'the prior and substantial modifications' (modifications cannot really be prior) and 'the barn shifted at the corner' (the passive or intransitive use of 'shifted' is slightly unnatural here). Spelling is generally accurate, but lexical control is inconsistent, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer attempts complex structures, but these frequently contain grammatical errors or missing verbs, as seen in 'the new solar panels installed at the top right corner in the farm' (lacking a finite verb) and 'a new farm shop added in the area' (missing 'was'). Prepositional usage is also occasionally flawed, such as 'in present day' instead of 'at the present day' or 'today'. While communication is not severely impeded and the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of grammatical slips prevents the score from reaching Band 7.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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