Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-28

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 given plans illustrate the difference in the site of a Beechwood Farm in the 1950 and the present. Various changes can be seen in the area where sheep resided.

To begin with, a farm shop is built near the premises where the fruit trees grow. In both the plans, the aregion where soft fruits and vegetables are grown remained unchange throughout the years. Futhermore, the position of the barn at the upper-right corner is now connected to the triangular section of the track, substituting the previous position of the barn with a range of holiday cottages.

Along with that, the major changes are made in the location where sheep inhabited. They are subsituded with huge campaing field. A parking lot is constructed in the western corner of the a camping field and also near the end of the road. The additonal space has been used to install solar panels.

To conclude, there are wide development made in layout of the site in the 1950 and today. A huge range of facilties are added to the farm that previously had less facilties when compared.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully addresses the main features of the two maps of Beechwood Farm. The student highlights key transformations, such as the replacement of the sheep area with a camping field, the addition of holiday cottages where the barn used to be, and the construction of new facilities like a farm shop, parking areas, and solar panels. An overview is provided, and comparisons between 1950 and today are made. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in spatial referencing, such as stating the barn was in the upper-right corner when it was centrally located, and minor omissions of detail. Overall, the content covers the requirements well, fitting a Band 6.5 or 7.0 profile for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organized into four distinct paragraphs, following a logical structure from an introduction to body paragraphs detailing changes, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader, such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'To conclude'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Along with that, the major changes are made'. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall progression is clear enough to follow the comparisons easily.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and changes, using terms like 'substituting', 'constructed', 'installation', and 'facilities'. However, there are several spelling errors ('aregion', 'unchange', 'Futhermore', 'campaing', 'subsituded', 'additonal', 'facilties') and some awkward word choices. Less common vocabulary is attempted but lacks precision in places, placing this criterion firmly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'In both the plans, the aregion where soft fruits and vegetables are grown remained unchange throughout the years.' There are noticeable grammatical and mechanical errors, including missing prepositions ('in the 1950' instead of 'in 1950'), tense inconsistencies ('remained unchange'), and spelling mistakes that occasionally distract the reader. Nonetheless, the meaning remains clear throughout, aligning with the Band 6 descriptor.

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

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