Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23
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 two maps compare the beechwood farm site in 1950 and the current arrangements of today's.
Overall, the farm has been modernized nowadays, and there have been significant changes. In tourism terms, camping field and holiday cottages have been constructed, while the fruit trees, soft trees, vegetables, and farms have remained unchanged. The linking tracks have been modified into roads.
In 1950, the sheep area was seen in northern side, while the barn, farmhouses, and chickens were placed in the south-eastern corner, just beside the river bend. Furthermore, fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables section are located near highway in western side.
In today's farm, the sheep area has been converted into a tourism spot, such as camping field and parking area has design there and also solar panels. the barn is relocated to junction of two roads in south, while old building has been utilized as Holiday cottages. The farm shop has been developed near highway. Subsequently, the fruit trees, and vegetables site has not changed. The connecting tracks are modified to roads.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response successfully addresses the task by comparing the two maps of Beechwood Farm in 1950 and today. The student provides a clear overview highlighting modernization and the addition of tourist facilities, alongside areas that remained unchanged, such as the fruit trees and vegetables. Key features are reported, such as the conversion of the sheep area into a camping field, parking, and solar panels, and the relocation of the barn and conversion of old buildings into holiday cottages. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in detail, such as claiming that 'farms have remained unchanged' and referring to 'soft trees' instead of 'soft fruits'. Overall, the main features are selected and reported adequately, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 6 descriptor profile.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is logically organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, a description of the 1950 layout, and a description of today's layout. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparison, using phrases such as 'Overall', 'In 1950', 'Furthermore', and 'In today's farm'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate time periods and themes. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical or abrupt, and minor awkwardness in cohesion prevents a higher score. Progression is clear overall, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common topic-specific items such as 'modernized', 'converted', 'relocated', and 'camping field'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'current arrangements of today's', 'soft trees' (instead of soft fruits), 'parking area has design there', and 'vegetables site'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control is inconsistent. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but errors in word formation and phrasing keep this criterion at Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using passive constructions ('have been constructed', 'has been converted', 'are modified') and subordinate clauses. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb tense consistency, articles, and prepositions (e.g., 'the beechwood farm site', 'seen in northern side', 'is located near highway in western side', 'parking area has design there'). Punctuation and capitalization are also slightly careless in places. While communication is not severely impeded, the frequency of errors restricts the score to a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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