Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-17

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 is comparing the structure of the Beechwood farm in 1950 and today's. In 1950, on the left side of the track there was a big area dedicated for sheeps but in today's structure they've wisely utilised that area into parking, camping field and a area dedicated for solar panels. The track area is also updated into a fine road. In previous plan, on the right side of the track there were fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables while today they've also added a farm shop infront of fruit trees. There used to be a barn at the end of the road, now they've also added holiday cottages, farmhouse and an area dedicated for chickens. Infront of the holiday cottages there's also a parking for the tourist. You also have a beautiful river view from the holiday cottages which the tourist can enjoy. Today's structure od the Beechwood farm is more well structured than the 1950's.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the two time periods and report several relevant changes, including the conversion of the sheep area to visitor facilities and the addition of a farm shop and holiday cottages. However, some locations and relationships are inaccurate or unclear: the fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables were not all on the right side of the track in 1950, and the barn was not simply “at the end of the road.” The response also says the farmhouse and chickens were added, although both were already present in 1950. A clear overview of the main transformation—farm production being combined with tourism and new facilities—would strengthen the summary. Avoid subjective claims such as “wisely” and “beautiful river view,” which are not needed to describe the plans.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly chronological comparison, moving from the 1950 layout to the present, and uses basic linking expressions such as “while,” “now” and “also.” This gives the reader a general sense of change. However, the information is presented as one continuous paragraph, with no clear overview or grouping of related features. The repeated “also” and the sequence of loosely connected observations make progression feel list-like rather than carefully organised. Some references, such as “that area” and “the end of the road,” are not precise enough to make the locations easy to follow. Organise the response into an overview and focused paragraphs, for example, one on the western fields and visitor facilities and another on the eastern buildings and access.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “track,” “farm shop,” “holiday cottages” and “solar panels,” so the main changes are generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are informal, imprecise or repetitive. “Structure” is repeated where “layout” would describe a plan more naturally, while “fine road” and “beautiful river view” are subjective rather than suitable for an objective report. There are also word-form and spelling problems, including “sheeps,” “infront” and “od.” Aim for precise terms for locations and changes, such as “north-east of” or “was converted into,” and use neutral language. This would make the description more accurate and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response communicates its main points using a mixture of simple statements and some longer clauses, such as “while today they've also added a farm shop infront of fruit trees.” However, control is uneven, and several errors affect accuracy. For example, “the structure of the Beechwood farm in 1950 and today's” is an incomplete comparison, and “a area” has an article error. The sentence beginning “There used to be a barn…” joins several changes without clearly showing which features existed in each period. Tense and sentence patterns also need more consistent control when comparing past and present. Practise clear comparative forms, such as “In 1950, the site contained…, whereas today…” and check articles, agreement and punctuation.

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