Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The plans below show a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The maps illustrate a college cafe before and after looks after redesign.

First of all there are many differences in both pictures. Many new things are introduce after redesigned like salad bar, coffee bar, barbecue area etc. Also something remains same such as kitchen area, toilet area and the chair, tables.

Although kitchen area is remain same, there was a place near kitchen where all the foods and drinks were served but after redesigned now only hot meals are serving there. And the area which was dining rooms for the staff before now it is exchange with take away food area and a coffee bar. Bins are converted in recycling bins. By the left side of the chairs and tables zone there is a salad bar newly introduce.

Now coming to the external part,which is completely new thing after redesigned. There is a outdoor seating created and also a barbecue area is added.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall changes: the kitchen and toilets remain, the former staff dining rooms become takeaway and coffee areas, and new outdoor seating and a barbecue are added. These are relevant comparisons and show that you understand the plans. However, some features are only briefly mentioned or not clearly located. For example, the salad bar is on the western wall, while the outdoor seating is south of the café and the barbecue is to its south-west; these details would make the account more precise. The overview that “there are many differences” is also general. State the main transformation more clearly, then cover the key internal and external changes in a little more detail. This would make the response more complete and better developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable progression: an opening comparison, changes inside the café, and then the new external area. Paragraphing helps separate these points, and phrases such as “Although” and “Now coming to the external part” signal shifts in focus. However, some linking is mechanical or imprecise, particularly “First of all there are many differences” and “Also something remains same.” The sequence of details within the main paragraph could be clearer, and references such as “the area” and “there” sometimes make the location less explicit. Organise the description by comparing the unchanged features first, then the internal redesign, and finally the outdoor additions. More precise transitions and references would strengthen the overall flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing the plans, including “redesigned,” “recycling bins,” “salad bar,” and “outdoor seating.” This gives you enough range to communicate the main changes, but several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive. For instance, “many new things are introduce” and “newly introduce” do not express the changes naturally, while “the area … is exchange with” is unclear. “The chair, tables” is also an imprecise way to refer to the seating area. Aim for accurate map-description verbs such as “added,” “replaced,” and “remained,” and use location terms consistently. Greater precision in these choices would make the account more fluent and easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including “Although kitchen area is remain same” and “where all the foods and drinks were served,” but control is uneven. Some errors affect basic sentence structure and verb forms: “before and after looks after redesign,” “many new things are introduce,” and “the area … is exchange with” are not grammatically well formed. Articles and agreement also need attention, as in “a outdoor seating” and “kitchen area is remain same.” Punctuation and spacing are inconsistent, especially around commas and in “coffee bar.” Practise forming clear past-versus-present comparisons, for example, “The serving area was replaced by a hot-meal counter.” More accurate clauses would make your comparisons clearer.

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