Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-13

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 5.0)

The designs demonstrate the site of a farm in 1950 and the same site at present.

Overall, the design of original farm was simple and it was not much developed. However, the current version is much more advanced.

In 1950, the beechwood farm had simple design. It was connected with the main road through a track and there was river on one side. On North west side there was road and from the middle of that road a track was linked. If you walk on the track then on your right side there were fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables in a sequence. On your left side, you can see the sheep area. If you walk straight on the track, you will see a triangle. Moving your left you can follow the track and find barn area. Next to it you will can find farmhouse and chicken area.

In today's design, two parking areas are added one next to main road and other on east corner. solar panels are also installed on north eastern side of the area. The location of barn has been changed and holiday cottages took the location of barn.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the two time periods and give a basic overview that the farm has become more developed. You also report several relevant 1950 features, including the track, river, fields, sheep, barn, farmhouse and chicken area. However, the comparison is only partial: the present-day description mentions parking, solar panels and cottages, but omits major changes such as the farm shop, camping field and the continued presence of the fruit, soft-fruit and vegetable areas. The statement that cottages took the barn’s location is inaccurate; the barn remains, although its position has changed. Develop the overview around the main changes and compare the two plans more fully, rather than relying on a few selected details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an overview to the 1950 plan and then to today, so the reader can follow its broad organisation. The sequence of features in the 1950 paragraph is also mostly understandable. However, progression is limited: the present-day paragraph is very brief and does not systematically compare the main areas or explain how the site has changed. The repeated directions to the reader—“If you walk…” and “Moving your left”—make the description feel like instructions rather than a clear map summary. Use location-based grouping and linking phrases such as “By contrast” or “Meanwhile” to connect changes, and ensure each paragraph develops a clear set of related comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “track,” “river,” “solar panels,” “parking areas” and “holiday cottages,” which makes the main subject clear. There is also some attempt to vary description with phrases such as “connected with” and “installed.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, including “the design of original farm,” “on one side,” and “took the location of barn.” Repetition of “design” and “area” also reduces precision. Choose vocabulary that describes map changes directly, such as “layout,” “was replaced by,” “was relocated,” and “to the north-east of.” Accurate, specific location terms would make the comparisons clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and some longer sentences, and the past tense is generally used when describing the 1950 plan. However, the range of structures is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward. Examples include missing articles in “the design of original farm” and “there was river,” the incorrect construction “you will can find,” and the unclear phrase “Moving your left.” There are also inconsistent shifts between past and present forms, as in “there were fruit trees” followed by “you can see.” Practise accurate article use and consistent tense, and build longer comparisons with controlled clauses—for example, “The former track was replaced by a road, while the fields remained in place.”

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.