Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-24

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 8.0)

The two plans illustrate how Beechwood Farm has changed since the 1950. Overall, Beechwood Farm has become more developed and tourist-oriented, with new hospitality facilities added and some existing ones being removed.

In 1950, a large area in the east of Beechwood Farm was used for keeping sheep, while the western side consisted of agricultural land for growing fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables. Near the river, there was a chicken coop and a farmhouse, while a barn was located near the tracks.

By the present day, a section of the area previously used for sheep has been converted into a camping field with a car park near the main road, while the remaining area has been used for solar panels. The tracks have been converted into roads, and a small barn has been built at the junction. The original barn has been converted into holiday cottages, while the farmhouse and chicken coop have remained unchanged. In addition, a small farm shop has been opened near the main road, next to the fruit trees.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by summarizing the main changes to Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day. A clear overall trend is identified in the introduction, noting that the farm has become more developed and tourist-oriented. Key features are accurately reported and compared, such as the conversion of the sheep area into a camping field and solar panels, the evolution of tracks into roads, and the addition of a farm shop and holiday cottages. The visual data is read correctly, and the response is well-supported by specific references to the maps without minor omissions or inaccuracies.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to overview, body paragraph on past features, and final body paragraph on present-day modifications. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'In 1950', 'while', 'By the present day', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is appropriate and separates distinct temporal periods and themes cleanly. Referencing is clear throughout, ensuring the reader easily follows the spatial transformations across the two maps.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to a Task 1 map comparison. Appropriate less-common lexical items and phrases are used effectively, such as 'tourist-oriented', 'converted into', 'remaining area', and 'remained unchanged'. There is a minor grammatical slip in the opening sentence ('since the 1950' instead of 'since the 1950s' or 'since 1950'), but overall word choice and collocations are precise and accurate, allowing smooth communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, combining passive forms ('has been converted into', 'has been opened') with temporal clauses and participial modifiers ('while the remaining area has been used', 'with a car park near the main road'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong. The slight article error in the introduction ('since the 1950') is an isolated minor slip and does not impede communication or prevent the text from achieving a high band.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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