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 maps illustrate the layout of the Beechwood farm in 1950 and the same site today.

Overall, the main trend occurs in the upper right corner, where in the past only sheep were present but now there are different developments likes solar panels, car parking and a camping field.

In 1950 near the road and river, there were only fruit trees, but now farm shops are present, across the road there is car parking, while soft fruits and vegetables are the same as in the past. In the upper-right corner there was only a sheep area in the past but now it is completely developed with a camping field, solar panels and car parking near the road. A Barn was present near the middle right corner but now it was replaced by holiday cottages and the barn was moved near the edge of the triangular road.

Farmhouse and chickens are placed at the same places as they are in the present near the river.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully addresses the prompt by summarising the main changes between Beechwood farm in 1950 and today. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the major transformation in the upper-right area from sheep farming to facilities like solar panels and a camping field. The candidate reports the key spatial shifts accurately, noting the addition of the farm shop, holiday cottages, and parking areas, while correctly observing that the farmhouse and chicken enclosure remained in the same locations. Although the description relies somewhat on listing features rather than deeper analytical grouping, all parts of the visual data are covered adequately, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text is arranged with a clear overall progression, moving from an introductory statement and general overview into specific spatial details regarding the western and eastern sections. Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, such as 'Overall', 'In 1950', and 'while'. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped; the essay is grouped into only three blocks, with multiple distinct areas crammed together in the body paragraphs rather than separated logically by zone or time period. Referencing is mostly clear, but the flow between sentences can occasionally feel mechanical. This performance aligns with Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating specific terms from the maps such as 'solar panels', 'camping field', 'holiday cottages', and 'triangular road'. The candidate attempts some less common phrasing like 'completely developed' and 'replaced by'. However, there are minor lexical inaccuracies, such as 'likes solar panels' (instead of 'like') and repetitive phrasing like 'in the past'. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the changes clearly, though it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands. This sits comfortably at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'where' and 'while'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions, such as 'the Beechwood farm' (unnecessary article), 'developments likes' (incorrect form), and 'now it was replaced' (tense inconsistency). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while these errors are noticeable, they do not impede overall communication. The control over grammar is characteristic of Band 6.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.