Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given diagram depicts the changes in a college cafe before it was remodelled.
It can be clearly seen that the cafe had undergone a significant change, as new areas and services were introduced.
Before redesigning, there was a bin on the left side of the entrance, and next to the bin there were toilets nearby. Ahead of the entrance, there used to be two small staff dining rooms, and the rest of the room had tables and chairs for customers to eat. The serving area used to serve all kinds of food and drink, and the kitchen used to be at the back side of the serving area.
After remodeling, the new areas were introduced, like a barbecue
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 119 words long. Furthermore, the response is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence ('like a barbecue'). Because the task is unfinished, it fails to provide a summary of the main features of the 'after' plan or make the necessary comparisons. Consequently, the response does not address all parts of the task. To improve, ensure you complete the description of all key features shown in the diagrams and provide a clear overview of the most significant changes observed between the two plans.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response shows some basic organization, with an introductory sentence and a description of the 'before' layout. However, because the text is incomplete, the overall progression is severely hindered. Cohesive devices are used in a limited way, such as 'Before redesigning' and 'After remodeling', but the lack of a completed second paragraph prevents the development of a coherent structure. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus and that you use a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas logically throughout the entire report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally accurate but limited in range. Phrases like 'undergone a significant change', 'left side of the entrance', and 'serving area' are appropriate for describing a floor plan. However, there is little evidence of more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. To improve, try to incorporate more specific descriptive language related to spatial arrangements, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'transformed into', or 'relocated', to better convey the changes between the two plans.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are few grammatical errors in the text provided, such as the correct use of past tense to describe the original layout ('used to be', 'there was'). However, the range of structures is limited, and the incomplete nature of the final sentence makes it impossible to assess the student's ability to handle more complex grammatical constructions. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of sentence types, including passive voice, which is particularly useful for describing changes in a formal report.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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