Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The diagrams illustrate the condition of Beechwood farm in 1950 and the present condition.
Overall, there are several changes in the Beechwood Farm today. The location of barn has been changed, while sheep area divides into camping field and solar panels. Track had been used in 1950, whereas these tracks has been changed into roads in present.
Although tracks have been transformed into roads, Barn introduces at the end of Y-shaped roads. The area used for sheeps in the Beechwood Farm in 1950 has been changed with camping area and solar panels, whereas parking areas are allocated in both parts. Farm shop has been introduced near the fruit trees, while soft fruits and vegetables area contain no changes. These area is located near a river. River starts from west side and end at east side. The barn has been transformed into holiday cottages near the road, whereas farmhouse and chickens area remain same in the Beechwood Farm.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the two maps, noting key transformations such as the replacement of the sheep area by a camping field and solar panels, the introduction of a farm shop, and the conversion of tracks into roads. The overview is somewhat basic, stating that 'there are several changes in the Beechwood Farm today', but it captures the overall transformation. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting specific details; for instance, the writer states that 'the barn has been transformed into holiday cottages', whereas the maps show that holiday cottages were newly built and the original barn remains in a different location at the southern end. Additionally, claiming that the soft fruits and vegetables area 'contain no changes' ignores the addition of surrounding roads and the proximity of the new farm shop and parking. These inaccuracies limit the score to Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction and body paragraphs, but the paragraphing lacks a clear, logical structure, with ideas jumping back and forth between transport, land use, and buildings. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as 'whereas' and 'although', sometimes leading to clunky or confusing transitions. For example, sentences like 'Although tracks have been transformed into roads, Barn introduces at the end of Y-shaped roads' show poor logical flow and connection between clauses. Reference words are occasionally unclear, and the overall progression from start to finish is hindered by the disjointed sequencing of features. This performance aligns with Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for describing the basic visual information, using terms like 'camping field', 'solar panels', 'farm shop', and 'holiday cottages'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'sheep area divides into' instead of 'the sheep area was replaced by', and 'Barn introduces at' instead of 'a barn is situated'. Forms of words are also misused, such as 'these tracks has been changed' and 'these area is located'. While the writer attempts some less common vocabulary, inaccuracies in spelling, word formation, and collocation restrict the score to Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The text displays a mix of simple and attempted complex structures, including passive voice constructions like 'has been changed' and 'have been transformed'. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'these tracks has', 'these area is', 'farmhouse and chickens area remain same'), missing articles (e.g., 'location of barn', 'in present'), and awkward passive usage ('Barn introduces'). Sentences attempting complexity often contain structural errors that disrupt meaning. Because errors are frequent and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, a Band 5.0 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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