Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-30

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 image illustrates the older and the modern plan of Beechwood Farm.

The older plan shows a typical farm developed to meet everyday needs, while the modern architecture shows the farm to be a place better suited for public visits and entertainment, with reserved areas for Parking to camping field etc.

The older plan was built in 1950 which had a barn, a farmhouse where chickens were kept, which was located in the southern part of the farm. It had tracks linked to the road which gave access to Fruit trees, Soft fruits, vegetables, and a vast land where the sheep were kept.

The modern plan managed the area effectively and had several new sights. For instance, the parking area, the camping field, along with the solar panels which enable the farm to have a proper electricity system. Proper road were built instead of tracks which provided route to the parkings, holiday cottages and the camping field. Overall, serving a better place for picnic and entertainment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of both plans, noting the shift from a basic agricultural farm in 1950 to a leisure and commercial facility today. The student identifies key changes such as the addition of parking areas, a camping field, solar panels, and holiday cottages, alongside the retention of the farmhouse, barn, and fruit trees. However, the overview is somewhat informal and subjective, using phrases like 'a place better suited for public visits and entertainment' rather than formal academic summarising. While the main features are highlighted, a more thorough comparison of spatial reorganisation would strengthen the response. This performance aligns well with a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay is divided into logical paragraphs that separate the introduction, the 1950 plan, and the modern plan, making the structure easy to follow. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'For instance', 'along with', and 'Overall', although some referencing is a bit mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the historical layout to current modifications. Paragraphing is used appropriately to distinguish between the two time periods, which supports overall clarity. This places the response comfortably at Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with domain-specific terms like 'barn', 'farmhouse', 'solar panels', and 'holiday cottages'. The student attempts some less common phrasing, such as 'modern architecture' (which is slightly inaccurate for a map description) and 'proper electricity system'. There are minor word choice and collocation issues, but the vocabulary remains functional and sufficient to communicate the main points effectively. Spelling is generally accurate throughout the text. This demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('where the sheep were kept') and participial phrases. Grammatical control is reasonably good, though minor errors occur, such as 'Proper road were built' (plural/singular agreement) and the fragment 'Overall, serving a better place for picnic and entertainment.' Despite these occasional slips, communication is not impeded, and the range of structures used is sufficient for a Band 6.0 score.

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

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