Band 8.5 model answer
A model answer written to illustrate a Band 8.5 response to this question, with the rubric breakdown and what carries it. Written by us as a teaching example, not a verified exam script.
“The maps show the village of Stokeford in 1930 and today.”8.5
Overall
8.5
Task response
9
Coherence & cohesion
8
Lexical resource
8.5
Grammar
The two maps show the village of Stokeford as it appeared in 1930 and as it looks today.
Overall, the village has expanded considerably and has shifted from a sparsely populated settlement with extensive farmland to a much more densely built residential area. The River Stoke and the main road layout have remained unchanged throughout.
In 1930, the land north of the river consisted of two large areas of farmland, and to the south a small cluster of five houses stood near a single shop in the centre of the village. Today, the farmland on the eastern side of the north bank has been replaced by a large new housing estate, though farmland on the western side has been retained. South of the river, residential development has increased dramatically, with approximately 24 houses now arranged in a grid pattern, replacing what was previously a much smaller cluster.
The single shop that existed in 1930 has been removed and its location has been converted into a public park on the south side of the village. The River Stoke, which runs east-west across the middle of the map, and the existing road layout have remained unchanged. The overall impression is of a village that has grown substantially in population while also gaining a dedicated green leisure space.
- •Overview captures the character of the overall change (sparse to dense residential) without listing individual features.
- •Accurate use of the passive for each change: 'has been replaced by', 'has been retained', 'has been removed', 'has been converted into'.
- •Compass directions and position language used precisely: north of the river, eastern side, south side, runs east-west.
- •Features that remained unchanged (river and road layout) are explicitly noted.
- •The final summary sentence borders on interpretation; keeping it closer to descriptive observation would be slightly safer for Task 1 register.
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