Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-03
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 set of pictorial layout outlines the difference of collage cafe before renovation and how it designed right now.
It is clearly visible that there are basic facilities were available earlier. There was a dustbin and toilets just left hand-side after the entrance. After that, there was a huge open space available, Moreover, there was a facility for dining as well. Kitchen was located on right-hand side of corner with serving area for all kind of food and drinks.
After reconstruction, there is noticeable changes. The staff dining rooms were converted into coffee bar and corner of take away food. Kitchen remined same. There is now salad bar available in the cafe. Apart from that, there is now facility of outdoor seating, and there are number of chairs and tables, along with Barbecue station.
Overall, it can be said that the cafe was upgraded with number of modern facilities that are quite necessary for food industry.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe layout, identifying the key changes such as the addition of the coffee bar, salad bar, and outdoor seating. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant transformations. While the task is addressed, the description of the 'before' state is slightly imprecise, and some details, such as the exact location of the kitchen, could be more clearly contrasted with the 'after' state. To improve, ensure the overview highlights the most striking changes rather than just listing features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the 'before' to the 'after' state. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Moreover', 'After reconstruction', and 'Apart from that'. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally slightly awkward, such as in the opening sentence. The flow between sentences is generally clear, but the overall structure could be improved by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the comparisons more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the layout changes effectively. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'collage cafe' (likely a typo for 'college') and 'there is noticeable changes' (subject-verb agreement error). While the student attempts to use specific terms like 'renovation' and 'reconstruction', the range is somewhat limited. To reach a higher band, the student should focus on more precise collocations and ensure that spelling and word forms are consistently accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the kitchen', 'a dustbin') and subject-verb agreement ('there are basic facilities were available', 'there is noticeable changes'). These errors are noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the intended meaning. To improve, the student should proofread for basic grammatical accuracy, specifically focusing on pluralization and the correct use of 'there is/are' constructions.
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