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 mentioned plans illustrate the difference of the site of a beechwood farm in 1950 and the same site today. In the first layout, the sections were allotted to fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, chickens, farmhouse and barn connecting each other with track path. On the opposite side of the track, there was a huge area dedicated to sheep.
With reference to the current layout of the farm, the track has been converted into a road in the same direction. There were many changes made to introduce new sections and facilities. To facilitate parking, two locations have been introduced, parking is available near the main road and the other one is at end of the farm. The barn section has been shifted to the adjoining of the road near chickens. A small farm shop area has been opened near fruit trees. Major developments have been made in the sheep area, where camping field and solar panels have been introduced.
To conclude, there is no alteration made to fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, farmhouse and chickens areas. While a new barn section is added and the old barn area is converted into holiday cottages.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student addresses the task by summarising the main changes between the 1950 map of Beechwood Farm and the layout today. An overview is attempted in the conclusion, and key features such as the conversion of the sheep area into a camping field and solar panels, the addition of a farm shop, and the replacement of the old barn with holiday cottages are identified. However, there are some inaccuracies and omissions in the data reporting. For instance, the student states that the old barn area is converted into holiday cottages, whereas the map shows the holiday cottages situated north of the farmhouse, with a new barn positioned further south. Additionally, some details lack precise spatial relationships. Overall, the response covers the main developments but suffers from minor misinterpretations of the visual data, placing it at Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response is organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs detailing changes, and a concluding overview. There is a clear overall progression, moving from general layout descriptions to specific modern additions. Cohesive devices such as 'With reference to the current layout' and 'To conclude' are used to structure the text, although some referencing is slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate past features, current developments, and final conclusions. While logical organisation is evident, occasional awkward transitions slightly hinder the flow, justifying a Band 6.5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms like 'allotted', 'converted', 'facilities', and 'alteration'. There are attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'adjoining' and 'developments', though some word choices are unnatural or inaccurate, such as 'shifted to the adjoining of the road' instead of 'relocated adjacent to the road'. Spelling is generally accurate, but limitations in collocation and precision prevent the response from reaching a higher band. The lexical range is sufficient to convey the main ideas clearly, meeting the requirements for Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, using dependent clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'In the first layout, the sections were allotted...'). However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the text, such as 'difference of the site' instead of 'differences in the site', 'connecting each other with track path', and 'the barn section has been shifted to the adjoining of the road'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but grammatical inaccuracies occur with sufficient frequency to impact the overall control of complex structures, placing this criterion firmly at Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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