Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-26

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 6.0)

The given images differentiate what a site called Beechwood Farm looked like in 1950, compared to what it looks like today.

The site has always been surrounded by a river. It is divided into two parts, separated previously by a track which is now shown as a road. The major developments have been made to the upper part of the site, where previously sheep were stored. The lower part has also seen some changes.

In 1950, the site was divided by a track, which bent to a roundabout in the middle. The upper northern part served as a place to store sheep. The lower end is also further divided in two parts. The left end serves as a garden, where fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables are shown. On the eastern end there is a barn, a farmhouse and a place to store chickens.

Today, the site has seen tremendous changes. The previous track now serves as a road. The area where sheep were stored has been completely renovated. There are two parking spaces on each extreme end. Solar panels have been installed on the north-east side of the space. The space in the middle has been converted into a camping site. On the lower end a farm shop has been added close to the space where fruit trees were grown. In the place of the barn holiday cottages have been added, and the barn is shifted and moved beside the space where vegetables were mentioned.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the two maps of Beechwood Farm from 1950 and the present day. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the major spatial transformations such as the replacement of the track with a road and the extensive development of the upper section. Key features are reported, including the conversion of the sheep area into a camping site, holiday cottages, and parking spaces, as well as additions to the farm's agricultural and retail functions like the farm shop and solar panels. However, stating that sheep were 'stored' is slightly unnatural phrasing, and some descriptions of spatial shifts could be more precise. Overall, the response meets the requirements of Band 6.5 to 7.0 for this criterion, presenting a clear summary with relevant data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is arranged in a logical overall structure, moving from an introductory comparison and general overview to specific details of the 1950 layout, followed by the current layout. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal periods and aspects of the site. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader, such as 'In 1950', 'Today', and 'On the lower end'. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'space' ('store sheep', 'space in the middle', 'space where fruit trees were grown'). Progression is clear throughout, but finer cohesive links could be managed more flexibly to achieve a higher band. This performance aligns comfortably with Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range appropriate for Task 1, successfully utilizing terms such as 'renovated', 'converted', 'installation', and 'agricultural features'. Less common lexical items are attempted, including 'tremendous changes' and 'holiday cottages'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation inaccuracies, notably the use of 'stored' for sheep (sheep are kept or grazed, not stored), and the repetitive use of the word 'space' throughout the text. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and communication is never impeded. These limitations place the lexical performance solidly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers effectively (e.g., 'The site has always been surrounded by a river', 'where previously sheep were stored'). Grammatical control is reasonably good, and punctuation is generally accurate. There are some minor structural awkwardnesses and passive voice misapplications, such as 'the barn is shifted and moved beside the space where vegetables were mentioned', which sounds slightly unnatural compared to 'the barn has been relocated'. Nevertheless, the majority of simple sentences are error-free, and errors do not impede communication. This corresponds to a Band 6.5 level.

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

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