Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-21
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 plans compare the layout of Beechwood Farm in 1950 with its present-day arrangement.
Overall, the farm has been substantially modernised and diversified. While several agricultural features, including the fruit trees, crop-growing areas, farmhouse and chicken enclosure, have remained, the site now also accommodates tourists and generates solar power.
In 1950, the northern half of the farm consisted largely of a sheep field. This area has since been redeveloped: its western section is now a camping field, whereas solar panels occupy the eastern side. The track which previously ran along the southern edge of the sheep field has been upgraded to a road, and two car parks have been added—one beside the solar panels and another in the north-western part of the site.
Further changes are evident around the centre of the farm. A farm shop has been built opposite the north-west car park, although the adjacent fruit trees, soft-fruit plots and vegetable fields remain in their original positions. The former barn, which stood close to the farmhouse, has been converted into holiday cottages. In contrast, a new barn has been constructed further south, near the chicken area, and is accessed from the central road junction.
Despite these developments, the farmhouse itself and the chicken enclosure are unchanged. Similarly, the river continues to run around the western and southern boundaries of the farm. Overall, the location has evolved from a purely agricultural property into a mixed farm, visitor destination and renewable-energy site.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task. The response provides a clear overview highlighting the main changes, such as modernisation and the introduction of tourism and renewable energy. Key features from both maps are accurately reported and compared, including the conversion of the sheep field into a camping area and solar panels, the addition of car parks and a farm shop, and the relocation of the barn alongside the conversion of the old barn into holiday cottages. The information is fully supported by the visual data without introducing irrelevant details, meeting all requirements for a Band 8 level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is logically organised and easy to follow. Information is grouped effectively by location and theme, moving from the northern half to the centre and then discussing unchanged features. Paragraphing is used skillfully to separate distinct areas of the farm. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'further changes', and 'in contrast' are used naturally and appropriately to guide the reader through the comparison between 1950 and the present day. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a smooth progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to describing maps and changes over time. Less common and precise lexical items are used skillfully, such as 'substantially modernised', 'diversified', 'redeveloped', and 'converted'. Word choices and collocations are generally accurate and natural, for instance, 'renewable-energy site' and 'agricultural property'. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, reflecting a strong command of lexical resource.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used effectively throughout the response, including adverbial clauses ('While several agricultural features...') and relative clauses ('The track which previously ran...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with excellent control over punctuation and tense consistency (shifting smoothly between past and present forms). Minor slips are entirely absent, demonstrating grammatical flexibility appropriate for a high band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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