Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04

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 plans show a college cafeteria before it was remodeled and the current outlook of the cafeteria.

Overall, the cafeteria has had quite a few changes implemented like the introduction of outdoor seating with multiple tables and chairs . Additionally, there is an area designated specifically for barbeque as well as a salad bar which was not the case before the remodeling took place .

Previously there was a serving area just south of the kitchen . Where as on the eastern part of the cafeteria staff dining rooms were present as well as a single bin. Furthermore, substantial amount of the area was occupied by tables and chairs .

However after renovation of the cafeteria staff dining rooms were abolished as take away food setup was introduced and a small coffee bar were allocated that area . Similarly in the case of bins now there are multiple recycling bins instead of a single bin. Additionally the serving area was revamped into a hot meals area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the addition of outdoor seating, the barbeque area, and the salad bar. You have made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the spatial layout changes. While you mention the removal of staff dining rooms, you could have provided a more comprehensive summary of the overall transformation, such as the shift from a more enclosed layout to one that incorporates outdoor space. The information is generally accurate, but some details, like the specific location of the coffee bar, could be described with greater precision to fully meet the requirements of a Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the 'before' and 'after' states. You use cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Previously', and 'However' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the description of the serving area and the tables in the third paragraph is a bit abrupt. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the internal cohesion within the paragraphs could be refined to ensure a more natural progression of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'remodeled', 'designated', 'abolished', and 'revamped'. These terms are generally appropriate for describing changes in a floor plan. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'current outlook' instead of 'current layout' or 'design'. Additionally, the phrase 'take away food setup' is slightly informal. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to architectural changes and spatial descriptions, such as 'converted into', 'relocated', or 'expanded'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'a small coffee bar were allocated' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'Where as on the eastern part' (incorrect capitalization and punctuation). The use of 'substantial amount of the area was occupied' is grammatically sound, but overall, the control of complex structures is inconsistent. Improving your attention to subject-verb agreement and punctuation, particularly with commas and sentence fragments, will help elevate your score in this criterion.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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