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 the layout of Beechwood Farm in 1950 and at the present time.

Overall, there has been substantial redevelopment over the years. Previously, the majority of the farm was allocated for agricultural activities, which now serve a variety of purposes, such as recreational activities and residential areas.

In 1950, a major portion of the farm on the north-eastern side was assigned for sheep grazing, and the south-western side for fruit tree farming, soft fruits, and vegetables, all connected by tracks. The south-eastern side has a barn, with an adjacent farmhouse and a chicken enclosure nearby. The farm has a river on the south and west borders and a main road towards the north.

The modern farm has undergone significant modifications; the sheep grazing area on the north-eastern side now serves as a leisure area, with a camping field and solar panel installation in the right corner, and an attached parking area at the bottom. Another parking area can also be seen at the main entrance.

The tracks are now properly constructed and connect different areas of the farm. The agricultural areas of fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables still hold the same place, reflecting the farm's transition from a predominantly agricultural site to a more diversified rural complex. The south-east corner is reorganized; it now has a residential area named Holiday Cottages, below it is a farmhouse and an adjacent chicken enclosure, and a well-constructed road reaching the barn.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear comparison between the two maps of Beechwood Farm. The overview paragraph successfully captures the main trends, highlighting the transition from purely agricultural activities to a more diversified rural complex featuring recreational and residential uses. Specific details are reported accurately, such as the conversion of the sheep grazing area into a camping field with solar panels, the addition of a farm shop, holiday cottages, and parking areas, alongside the retention of the fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables. The development of ideas is well-supported by details from the diagrams, fulfilling the Band 7 and 8 criteria effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression. It begins with an introductory statement, followed by an effective overview paragraph, then a detailed description of the 1950 layout, and finally the modifications seen today. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal stages and thematic areas. Cohesive devices such as 'Previously', 'Overall', and 'The modern farm' are employed to guide the reader smoothly through the comparison, although occasional transitions could be more seamlessly integrated to reach the highest bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for an academic task comparing maps. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'substantial redevelopment', 'predominantly agricultural site', 'diversified rural complex', and 'solar panel installation'. Word choice is generally accurate, with only minor lapses that do not impede communication. The spelling is correct throughout, and the vocabulary choices allow the writer to convey precise spatial and functional changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of sentence structures, mixing simple sentences with complex forms involving relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'which now serve a variety of purposes' and 'reflecting the farm's transition'. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled well. There are occasional minor slip-ups, such as tense consistency when shifting between the past map ('The south-eastern side has a barn') and general descriptions, but these do not impede overall comprehension and reflect solid control of grammatical rules.

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