Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The two plans illustrate a comparative map of how the site of the Beechwoord Farm changed over time, in 1950 and at present.

Overall, the farm has the same total area as it had in 1950, but went through several major divisions across different fields of the site. In 1950, the site had a vast area for Sheeps, which is dividied into multiple parts for camping, parking and solar systems today.

In 1950. the farm was divided into two parts by a track running through the middle of it, which changed into well-structured roads leading to a newly established Barn today. On one side of the road, there were Fruit trees previously, and at present a farm shop is placed there along with it. The barn located at right most corner of this side is turned into a cottage today. All other components remain the same as it were in 1950.

The major changes were in the Sheep area. This area was previously used as whole in 1950 for

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the two time periods and note that the former sheep area has been redeveloped, which is a relevant overall change. However, the account is only partial and includes important inaccuracies: the farm shop is between the fruit trees and internal road, not simply placed among the trees; the barn has not become a cottage, as the barn remains on the plan and the cottages are a separate development. The claim that all other components remain unchanged also overlooks the new roads, parking, camping field and solar panels, as well as the retained fruit, soft-fruit and vegetable areas. The final paragraph stops mid-sentence, leaving the main changes unexplained. To improve, give a complete overview and accurately compare the key features.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an identifiable opening, overview and body paragraphs, and it attempts to organise information by describing the site and then focusing on the sheep area. However, progression is difficult to follow because the comparisons are incomplete and some references are unclear, such as “this side” and “all other components.” The final paragraph begins “The major changes were in the Sheep area” but ends without completing the point, disrupting the overall flow. Linking phrases such as “In 1950” and “at present” help signal time, but the account would be clearer if each paragraph covered a coherent set of changes—for example, the western fields and new facilities, followed by the eastern redevelopment—and if each comparison were completed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant map vocabulary, including “divisions,” “track,” “fields,” “camping” and “solar systems,” and the reader can generally identify the topic. However, several word choices and forms are inaccurate or imprecise: “Sheeps” should be “sheep,” “solar systems” is better expressed as “solar panels,” and “turned into a cottage” misrepresents the map’s separate barn and holiday cottages. “Comparative map” is also an awkward description; “plans” or “maps” would be more natural. Spelling errors such as “Beechwoord” and “dividied” are noticeable. Build a more precise range for describing locations and changes, using terms such as “situated,” “retained,” “converted” only when conversion is shown, and “developed into” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including a contrast with “but” and a relative clause in “which changed into well-structured roads.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make relationships between features unclear. For example, “the farm has the same total area as it had in 1950, but went through” shifts awkwardly from present perfect to past; “the site had a vast area for Sheeps, which is dividied” has faulty agreement and tense; and “All other components remain the same as it were” has an incorrect verb form. The fragment “In 1950.” also interrupts the sentence flow, while the final sentence is unfinished. Use consistent past and present forms when comparing the plans, check subject–verb agreement, and proofread punctuation and sentence completion.

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