Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18
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 maps illustrate how the site of a farm has changed from 1950 to today.
Overall, the site has undergone significant redevelopment with many original features being removed or replaced. A technological development can be seen that is addition of solar panels. Recreational facilities such has camping field and holiday cottages has been added, while the fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables gardens remain unchanged.
In 1950, there was a huge space for sheeps in right hand side which has now been replaced by several parking lots , solar panels and a camping field has been developed here. Furthermore, the barn is now replaced by holiday cottages and the barn is now put near road. Also, the area for chickens remain constant. Meanwhile, The track has now been developed to road where vehicles can easily be drove.
In contrast, the area around fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables remain mostly unchanged. However, a farm shop has been added in the area 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 student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the two maps of Beechwood Farm from 1950 and today. An overall trend is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting significant redevelopment, the addition of new recreational and technological features, and the retention of certain agricultural areas. Main features are selected and reported appropriately, such as the conversion of the sheep area into parking lots, solar panels, and a camping field, as well as the addition of holiday cottages and a farm shop. However, there are minor inaccuracies in reporting, such as stating that the barn was replaced by holiday cottages and relocated near the road (whereas a new barn is at the southern end and the old one was replaced). Overall, the task is covered reasonably well, meeting the requirements of a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically into four paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing changes and constants. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In 1950', 'Furthermore', 'Meanwhile', and 'In contrast'. However, referencing and cohesion can be slightly mechanical and repetitive at times. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific details. The logical progression is clear overall, though transitions between sentences can feel a bit abrupt. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to maps and features, such as 'redevelopment', 'technological development', 'recreational facilities', and 'remain unchanged'. There are some lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'sheeps' (plural form of sheep is sheep), 'space for sheeps in right hand side', and 'can easily be drove' (should be 'driven'). Attempts at less common vocabulary are made, but they sometimes result in word choice or collocation errors. Communication is not impeded, but the limitations in lexical control keep the score at a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and passive structures (e.g., 'which has now been replaced', 'has been added'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('facilities such has camping field and holiday cottages has been added', 'the area... remain constant'), pluralization errors ('sheeps'), missing articles ('in right hand side'), and passive voice errors ('can easily be drove'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause slight difficulty, though they do not completely impede communication, placing the response firmly at a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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