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)

There are 2 maps of college cafe in diagram showing images, before it was redsigned and how it looks now.

First of all kitchen has the same place as it was before and there is no change in it. Serving area for all food and drink is now changed to only for hot meals. Near the left wall of the cafe there was nothing before and now it is a side bar created there. There were two staffing rooms near the kitchen and now one of them converted and using as take away food and second using for coffee bar. Table and chairs space is the same as it was before the redesigning. Recycling bins space is conjusted near right wall and now there is only bin available to use. Toilets are at the same place as before.

There were nothing in the front of cafe before and now there is place created for outdoor seating. There also a place created for Barbecue in left corner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the redesign, such as the kitchen, serving area, and new additions like the outdoor seating and barbecue. However, the report lacks a clear overview, which is essential for a Band 6 or higher in Task 1. The description is somewhat mechanical, listing changes point-by-point without synthesizing the information into a cohesive summary of the overall transformation. To improve, you should include an introductory sentence that highlights the most significant changes (e.g., the expansion of facilities and the addition of outdoor amenities) to provide a clearer 'big picture' for the reader.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is somewhat disjointed. You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, which makes the progression of ideas feel repetitive. While you use some cohesive devices like 'First of all' and 'now', the transitions between the various areas of the cafe are abrupt. To improve, try using more varied linking words and phrases to connect your observations, such as 'In contrast to the previous layout,' or 'Furthermore, the area previously designated for X has been repurposed for Y.' This will help guide the reader more smoothly through the changes.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic terms like 'place' and 'space' repeatedly (e.g., 'kitchen has the same place', 'Table and chairs space'). There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'conjusted' (likely meaning 'congested' or 'cramped') and 'redsigned' (spelling error). To reach a higher band, aim to use more descriptive verbs and nouns related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated,' 'transformed,' 'converted,' or 'designated area.' Expanding your range of synonyms will make your writing more professional and engaging.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response consists mostly of simple sentences, which limits your ability to demonstrate a wide range of grammatical structures. There are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as missing articles ('There are 2 maps of college cafe', 'near the kitchen and now one of them converted'), and issues with verb tense consistency. While the meaning is generally clear, these frequent errors and the lack of complex sentence structures (such as relative clauses or passive voice constructions) prevent a higher score. Focus on using more complex sentence forms and ensuring subject-verb agreement to improve your accuracy.

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

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