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 represent the college cafe before and after it was redisgned.
Overall, major changes can be seen easily in before and after condition of college cafe. As first it had a large portion empty but now it is fully equipped with all facilities.
Before redesigning it just had a small kitchn area for cooking and serving area for all types of food and drink at the upper left corner of the cafe. It had a huge hall which just had the two staff dining rooms in the mid of it at upper side. It had toilets at the right end corner. Infront of this a bin was placed. The whole portion was empty with no outdoor sitting.
After redesigning all space is divided equally to deal more customers. There is addition of salad bar at left side of the hall, there was noting before. Dining for staff is removed where take away and coffee bar are working which is also a new addition. A major change which happend it has outdoor sitting and barbecue area.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 redesign, including the kitchen, dining areas, and the addition of outdoor facilities. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the shift from a large empty hall to a more structured, customer-focused layout. While the response identifies key changes, some descriptions are slightly vague, such as 'all space is divided equally,' which is not clearly supported by the visual data. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview highlights the most striking transformations rather than just stating that changes occurred.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs for the 'before' and 'after' states, and a brief overview. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'As first' and 'Infront of this' are slightly awkward and hinder the flow. The transition between the description of the old layout and the new layout could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the lack of varied linking words makes the text feel a bit disjointed in places. Improving the range of cohesive devices would enhance the overall readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several spelling errors, such as 'redisgned,' 'kitchn,' and 'happend.' The student relies on basic descriptors like 'large portion' and 'huge hall' rather than more precise academic vocabulary suitable for describing floor plans. There is also some awkward phrasing, such as 'before and after condition of college cafe.' To improve, the student should focus on using more specific terminology related to spatial layout and design, and pay closer attention to spelling and word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'As first it had a large portion empty,' 'there was noting before,' and 'to deal more customers.' Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure often feels repetitive. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of errors in basic grammar—such as missing articles and incorrect preposition usage—prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and sentence variety will be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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