Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The map illustrates the changes in Beechwood Farm that took place between the 1950s and the present.

Overall, Beechwood Farm has undergone significant changes in the layout and facilities. Several existing areas were replaced and converted, while a number of new areas, such as camping fields, solar panels and holiday cottages, were introduced.

In the past, sheep were located in the northwest corner of the farm, while the barn, farmhouse and chickens were situated on the western side of the farm. There was a track situated in the center of the farm. Moreover, fruit trees, soft fruit and vegetables were situated on the eastern side of the farm. There was a river situated on the southern side of the farm.

At present, sheep have been replaced by solar panels, camping fields and car parks. In the centre, the track has been replaced by a road. Similarly, the barn has been converted into holiday cottages. In addition, a farm shop has been added on the eastern side of the farm. A barn has been built at the bottom of the triangular road.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the prompt by providing a clear summary of the changes to Beechwood Farm between 1950 and the present day. A clear overview is included, highlighting the main transformations such as the introduction of the camping field, solar panels, and holiday cottages. Key features are reported, such as the replacement of sheep areas with parking and solar facilities, and the conversion of the barn into holiday cottages. However, there are some minor spatial inaccuracies in the body paragraphs; for example, the student states that fruit trees, soft fruit, and vegetables were situated on the eastern side in the past, whereas the 1950 map shows them largely in the centre-south and west of the track. Nonetheless, the response meets all the core requirements of Task 1 well.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organised into four clear paragraphs: an introduction, an overview paragraph, a description of the past layout, and a description of present changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively. Cohesive devices are generally well-managed, using temporal markers such as 'In the past' and 'At present' to guide the reader through the comparison. However, referencing and progression could be smoother, as some sentences feel slightly disjointed or repetitive in their structure (e.g., beginning multiple sentences with 'There was a...'). Overall, the arrangement is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to successfully communicate the main features of the maps. There are appropriate attempts at less common vocabulary related to map transformations, such as 'undergone significant changes', 'replaced and converted', and 'introduced'. However, there is some repetition of basic directional and locational phrasing (e.g., 'on the eastern side of the farm', 'situated on'). Word choice is generally clear, though minor generalisations occur. The lexical range is sufficient for a Band 6.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, successfully utilising passive voice forms appropriate for descriptive writing (e.g., 'were located', 'have been replaced', 'has been converted'). Grammatical accuracy is reasonably high, with many error-free sentences. Minor slips do occur, such as prepositional or article choices, but these do not impede communication. The control over tense shifts between the past description and the present description is handled correctly.

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