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 became more modern and spacious after the renovation. The seating capacity was increased, the serving area was reorganized, 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 tables and chairs, while the main seating space became 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 effectively identifies the main features of the cafe renovation. You have successfully highlighted the key changes, such as the removal of staff rooms, the expansion of seating, and the diversification of the food service area. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully detailed; for instance, you mentioned the toilets remained in the same location twice, which is slightly repetitive. Overall, the response covers all parts of the task well and presents a clear, logical summary of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In addition' helps guide the reader through the information logically. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the structural changes from the functional changes. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve further, ensure that you avoid repeating information unnecessarily, as seen with the mention of the toilets in both the third and fourth paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'reorganized', 'redesigned', and 'underwent significant changes'. The language is precise enough to convey the necessary information clearly. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary related to architectural or spatial changes, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'partitioned'. The current vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, though it remains somewhat functional rather than sophisticated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing displays a good control of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The original serving area, which offered all food and drinks was replaced by...'. Punctuation is generally accurate, though there is a missing comma after 'drinks' in that same sentence. Most sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication. To move into the higher bands, aim for a greater variety of complex sentence structures and ensure consistent accuracy in punctuation.

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

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