Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-21

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 two maps compare the site of farm in 1950 with its current site.

Overall, the farm has undergone in significant development with many features being changed or replaced. The track has been converted into road with the inclusion of farm shop, parking areas, camping field, solar panels and holiday cottages.

In 1950, the farm had the fields for fruit trees, soft fruits and vegetables beside each other. The track was dividing these fields from sheep area. On the right most side of map, the barn was located. Farmhouse and area for chickens were also located on the right side of map beneath the barn. The river was flowing from fields and chickens area.

Today, the farm shop has been introduced in fruit trees field. The track has been upgraded to road. The sheep area has been divided into camping field and solar panels. It is the significant development. Moreover,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main change from a track-based farm to a more developed site, and your overview names several new facilities, including the shop, parking, camping field, solar panels and cottages. You also compare the original crop fields and mention the farmhouse, barn and chickens. However, coverage is incomplete and some details are inaccurate or unclear: the sheep area is not simply divided into camping and solar-panel areas, and the river does not flow from the fields and chicken area. Important changes, such as the cottages replacing or occupying the area around the former farm buildings, are not explained. The final paragraph also breaks off after “Moreover,” leaving the account unfinished. Develop the key changes more fully and check each location against the plans.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing the two time periods. This gives the reader a basic route through the comparison. However, progression is weakened by the abrupt ending at “Moreover,” and the final paragraph does not complete its point. Some descriptions are difficult to follow, such as “The track was dividing these fields from sheep area” and “The river was flowing from fields and chickens area”; clearer spatial links would help. The response also tends to list features rather than connect changes between the maps. Use a complete final paragraph and organise details by location or by what changed, with precise references such as “to the east of” and “south of.”

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of map vocabulary, including “converted,” “introduced,” “fields,” “parking areas” and “holiday cottages,” and the main topic remains understandable. There is also an attempt to describe change with phrases such as “undergone significant development.” Some word combinations and expressions are not natural or precise, however: “the site of farm,” “current site,” “the right most side,” and “the river was flowing from” do not clearly express the intended locations or changes. “Significant development” is repeated in a way that adds little detail. Aim for more accurate collocations and specific location language, for example “the farm site today,” “on the eastern side,” and “the river runs along the southern boundary.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the overview sentence beginning “Overall” and the passive construction “has been converted into road.” Most sentences communicate a basic idea, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy and clarity. Articles are missing in “site of farm,” “from sheep area” and “converted into road”; the latter also needs a plural form for the feature. The phrase “has undergone in significant development” uses an unnecessary preposition, while “The river was flowing” uses a past progressive form that does not suit a map description of a permanent feature. The unfinished “Moreover,” clause also leaves the sentence incomplete. Practise accurate articles and prepositions, and use present simple for features shown on the maps.

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