Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-05
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 plans show structure of Beechwood farm in 1950 and now. The redesign of the farm has new features and facilities including parking, camping field, holiday cottages and solar panels. Area which was allocated for sheep has been replaced with two parking areas, camping fields and solar panels.
Barn which was in the East corner in 1950 has replaced with holiday cottages and there is newly desinged barn in the junction of road. But, it is smaller than before in size. Farm shop has been constructed at the entrance of the farm.
Fruit trees, soft fruits, and vegetables are being same as those were in 1950. The tracks have changed as roads. But, the map of the tracks still remaining same. The parking areas are located in various directions. One can be seen once enter the farm in the camping field and another is in the area where solar panels in opposite to holiday cottages.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses the main features of the maps, covering the transformation of Beechwood farm between 1950 and the present day. You successfully note key developments such as the addition of the camping field, holiday cottages, solar panels, and the farm shop, while pointing out that areas like the fruit trees and vegetables remain unchanged. However, some parts of the response lack clarity or are under-developed. For instance, the description of the new barn location and the repositioned parking areas is slightly confusing and lacks precise spatial referencing. To move to a higher band, you should ensure all key changes are clearly contrasted and supported with precise details, providing a more thorough overview of the overall spatial reorganization.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay has a coherent overall arrangement, and you attempt to group related changes together, such as discussing the new accommodation and facilities in the first paragraph and the unchanged features in the second. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is occasionally unclear. For example, the transition words between sentences feel abrupt, and phrases like 'One can be seen once enter the farm' lack smooth connection. Paragraphing is used, but the internal flow of ideas needs better logical sequencing and clearer cohesive devices to guide the reader effortlessly through the spatial comparisons between the two time periods.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
Your lexical range is adequate for the task, successfully using vocabulary related to maps and rural environments such as 'facilities', 'allocated', 'junction', and 'constructed'. You attempt some less common vocabulary, but there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'has replaced with' instead of 'has been replaced by', and 'desinged' (spelling error). Other phrases like 'the map of the tracks still remaining same' show awkward phrasing. To achieve a higher band, you need to expand your range of vocabulary for describing spatial changes and ensure greater accuracy in word forms, spelling, and collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response shows a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but it is marred by frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding passive voice, articles, and prepositions. Examples include 'structure of Beechwood farm' (missing article), 'Barn which was in the East corner... has replaced with' (incorrect active/passive voice), and 'are being same as those were' (awkward verb tense and structure). These errors require the reader to re-read certain parts to understand the intended meaning. To reach higher bands, you need to demonstrate better control over complex structures, ensure correct verb forms in passive constructions, and reduce basic grammatical inaccuracies.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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