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 map chart illustrates how Beechwood Farm changed over the years.

The farm was made near a river and the main road. A track interconnected different parts of the farm. Today the farm has developed with the track converted to a road. And multiple new additions have been made.

In 1950 the farm had a barn and farmhouse with chickens close to the river. A track connected all parts of the farm.The sheep were on the right side of the track. Going further down the track fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables fields could be seen.

Today the farm looks completely different as the track is converted to a road. The sheep area is now made a camping field. Beside it a parking area can be seen with solar panels on top. On the other side holiday cottages, farmhouse and a barn with chicken near it. The fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables field are still at the same place. But, a new farm shop is made near fruit trees. And also a new parking space which connects to the main road.

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.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the two maps, noting key changes such as the conversion of the track into a road, the addition of a camping field, solar panels, holiday cottages, and a farm shop, while correctly observing that the agricultural zones (fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables) remained in place. However, the response includes unnecessary copied prompt text at the end, which slightly detracts from the structure. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed adequately with relevant comparisons made between 1950 and today.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay is generally coherent and follows a logical overall arrangement, moving from an introductory summary to detailed descriptions of the 1950 layout and current features. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different temporal stages. However, some cohesive devices feel a bit repetitive or mechanical (e.g., starting consecutive sentences with 'And' or 'Today'), and referencing between spatial locations could be smoother. Despite these minor issues, the progression of information remains clear throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, accurately describing geographic and structural changes on the farm using terms like 'converted', 'camping field', 'solar panels', and 'holiday cottages'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though word choices and collocations occasionally lack precision, such as 'The farm was made near' instead of 'situated' or 'built', and 'solar panels on top'. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The map chart illustrates how Beechwood Farm changed over the years.' Grammatical control is generally decent, and communication is rarely impeded. However, there are some minor errors and awkward phrasings, such as missing articles ('a barn and farmhouse with chickens') and minor punctuation slips. Complex structures tend to be basic or slightly faulty when handling spatial prepositions.

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.