Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05

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 6.0)

The plans illustrate the layout a college cafe before and after it was redesigned.

Overall, the cafe become more modern and spacious after the renovation. The seating capacity was increased, the serving area was reorganised, and several new facilities were added to improve customer convenience.

Firstly, the seating area and internal layout of the cafe were significantly redesigned. The former staff dining rooms were removed to create a large area for table and chairs, while the main seating space become more open. However, the entrance and the toilets remained in the same position.

Secondly, the food service area underwent significant changes. The original serving area, which offered all food and drinks was replaced by a separate kitchen, a hot meals section , a takeaway food counter, a coffee bar and a salad bar. In addition, an outdoor seating area was added at the front of the cafe. The bin was replaced with a recycling bin, while the toilets remained in the same location.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the expansion of the seating area, the diversification of the food service counters, and the addition of an outdoor area. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant changes. The report is well-structured, covering both the layout changes and the functional improvements. However, the description could be slightly more precise; for instance, mentioning the specific removal of the staff room to accommodate the new kitchen would have provided a more comprehensive comparison. Overall, the task is addressed well, and the key information is clearly presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on distinct aspects of the redesign. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the structural changes from the functional ones. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is logical and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, using terms like 'reorganised', 'convenience', 'underwent significant changes', and 'redesigned'. While the range is sufficient to convey the information clearly, it lacks a degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the terminology used to describe the cafe layout is accurate. To improve, the student could incorporate more precise collocations or varied descriptive adjectives to enhance the overall quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and accurate; however, there are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'the cafe become' (should be 'became') and 'table and chairs' (should be 'tables and chairs'). These errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The use of passive voice, such as 'was removed' and 'was replaced', is appropriate for describing a process or change. The punctuation is generally correct, and the overall control of grammar is strong, though a few more complex structures would demonstrate greater flexibility.

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