Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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.

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

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The provided plan shows a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Before the redesign, the kitchen was located in the top left corner and connected to a single serving area that handled all food and drink. The central space was occupied by tables and chairs, with two staff dining rooms each containing a round table situated towards the right. A bin stood against the right wall, and toilets were positioned in the bottom right corner.

In the redesigned cafe, the kitchen remains in the same place but now features a dedicated hot meals section. A salad bar has been added along the left wall of the main dining area. The former staff dining rooms have been replaced by a take away food counter and a coffee bar. Tables and chairs continue to occupy the central space. On the right side, the single bin has been replaced by recycling bins, while the toilets remain in the bottom right corner. Notably, outdoor seating with multiple tables has been introduced along the bottom of the plan, together with a barbecue area on the far left.

Overall, the cafe has undergone significant changes, with the introduction of specialised food and drink areas, outdoor seating and recycling facilities, while the kitchen and toilets have remained in similar positions. The staff dining rooms have been removed entirely.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear summary of the main features, including the kitchen, dining areas, and the new additions like the outdoor seating and barbecue area. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is logical and well-structured. You successfully identified the key changes, such as the removal of staff dining rooms and the addition of the salad bar and recycling facilities. The overview paragraph provides a concise summary of the most significant transformations, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. You have used clear paragraphing to separate the 'before' state, the 'after' state, and the summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Before the redesign', 'In the redesigned cafe', and 'Notably' are used effectively to guide the reader through the changes. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. There is no evidence of repetitive or mechanical linking, and the structure supports the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing plans and spatial changes. Phrases such as 'occupied by', 'situated towards', 'remains in the same place', and 'undergone significant changes' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and fits the context of the task well. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to architectural changes could elevate the score further. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, effectively. For example, 'Before the redesign, the kitchen was located in the top left corner and connected to a single serving area that handled all food and drink' is a well-constructed complex sentence. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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