Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The maps illustrate how a beechwood farm was organised in 1950 and how it was transformed in recent years following a major renovation.

Overall, the farm has been significantly modernised with new facilities added for recreation, including solar panels, parking, and a camping field, replacing some of the traditional agricultural features.

To begin with, in 1950, the farm had a simple layout. A sheep pasture was located on the upper side of the track. To the lower left, there were fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables. On the right side, the farm included a barn, a farmhouse, and a chicken area.

By contrast, the present map shows a more developed space. The road replaced the track in the middle of the farm. On the top side, the parking area, camping field, and solar panels replaced the entire sheep enclosure. Moreover, on the bottom left side, a farm shop was built, while other structures remained the same as in the past. However, on the lower right side, the location of the barn was moved, and holiday cottages were newly constructed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the layout of Beechwood Farm in 1950 with its current state. An effective overview is provided, highlighting the general transition from a traditional agricultural farm to a modernised facility with recreational features such as a camping field, parking areas, and solar panels. Key features are selected and reported accurately, including the replacement of the sheep enclosure, the introduction of a farm shop, holiday cottages, and the relocation of the barn. The information is grounded in the visual data, and comparisons are made where relevant, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised and easy to follow. It begins with an introductory paragraph, followed by a clear overall statement, a description of the 1950 layout, and finally a comparison with the present layout. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal stages. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'By contrast', and 'Moreover' are employed to guide the reader through the comparison, though referencing is occasionally a bit repetitive. Overall organisation and progression are clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe physical changes and map features adequately, using terms such as 'modernised', 'recreational features', 'layout', and 'enclosure'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'transformed' and 'constructed'. While word choice is generally appropriate, there are some minor inaccuracies or slightly unnatural phrases, such as referring to 'a beechwood farm' instead of 'Beechwood Farm' with capital letters. Nevertheless, the lexical range is adequate for the task and communication is not impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating past tense structures for the 1950 map ('was located', 'included') and present tenses for the current map ('shows', 'is situated'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and control of grammar and punctuation is generally good. A few minor errors persist, such as article usage ('a beechwood farm' and 'the road replaced the track'), but these do not impede communication. The grammatical range supports clear reporting of spatial and temporal data.

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