Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-12
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)
Two plans give comparative account of a site of a farm in 1950 and the same site today.
Overall, in essence the site of Beechwood Farm underwent a complete metamorphoses from 1950 to today.
On the one hand, In 1950 the site of Beechwood Farm was far from technology. The area was simply divided for few requirements of a farm included fruit and vegetables compounds, division for sheep in north east side and farm house for chickens and barn in south east side.
On the other hand, the current site is the depiction of technology and advancement. Although, the map of the site for road and river is same but the addition of solar panels, parking, holiday cottages, camping field and farm shop is extensive development. Overall, the current and former plans of the site of Beechwood Farm depict the requirements according to the timespan which are 1950 and today.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the two time periods and give a broad overview that the farm has changed, mentioning several new features such as solar panels, parking, holiday cottages, a camping field and a farm shop. However, the response addresses the map only partially: it does not explain the main spatial changes, such as the former sheep area becoming a camping field, or the addition of cottages beside the farmhouse. The claim that the road and river are the same is too general to show what was retained, and “complete metamorphoses” overstates the changes because fruit trees, soft fruits, vegetables, the farmhouse, barn and chicken area remain. The response is also 11 words below the 150-word minimum. Add accurate comparisons and key locations to develop the summary.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall statement, and paragraphs contrasting the past with the present. “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” help signal this contrast, so the reader can follow the basic organisation. However, the progression is limited because the two main paragraphs list broad impressions rather than grouping and comparing related map features. The repeated use of “Overall” in the overview and final sentence also makes the ending feel repetitive, while “Although” begins a clause that is not smoothly connected to the rest of its sentence. Organise the details by areas or by retained and added features, and use linking phrases to show precise relationships between them.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “addition,” “solar panels,” “holiday cottages” and “camping field,” and the contrast between “1950” and “today” is clear. There are also attempts at less common expressions, such as “depiction of technology and advancement” and “underwent a complete metamorphoses.” However, several choices are unnatural or imprecise: “complete metamorphoses” is an awkward and exaggerated description, “fruit and vegetables compounds” does not clearly describe the plots, and “far from technology” is not a natural way to characterise the earlier farm. “Extensive development” is also vague. Use accurate map vocabulary and natural collocations, such as “plots,” “facilities,” “was converted into” and “was added.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts a range of sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “Although” and a relative clause in “requirements according to the timespan which are 1950 and today.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “Although, the map of the site for road and river is same but…” combines two contrasting structures and has missing articles; “was simply divided for few requirements” has an unclear construction; and “included fruit and vegetables compounds” does not fit grammatically with the preceding phrase. Capitalisation after “On the one hand” is also inconsistent. Practise building clear sentences with one main clause and a correctly attached subordinate clause, and check articles, agreement and punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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