Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The two layouts illustrate the design of cafe located in a college before and after it was renovated.

Overall, the cafe after renovation has more facilities, addition of salad bar, barbecue area with extended sitting outside the cafe is the highlight.

Starting with the kitchen which remains in its place, but the serving area is now replaced by a hot meals section. Addition of a salad bar on the left side. going further a barbeque area with outdoor seating is another major highlight of the new cafe.

In the previous cafe there was a staff dining area which is now replaced with a take-away counter and a coffee bar. The indoor siting remains on the same place as the previous which is right in from of these two counters occupying the center of cafe.

Bins are now called recycling bins and Toilets also are on the same bottom right corner of the cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe renovation, including the addition of the salad bar, barbecue area, and the reconfiguration of the serving counters. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you mention the addition of facilities, the description of the layout changes is somewhat fragmented. To improve, ensure you group information logically—for example, by contrasting the 'customer service' areas with the 'dining' areas. The summary of the changes is accurate, but more precise comparisons (e.g., noting the expansion of the seating area) would elevate the response to a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'Starting with' and 'going further' are used, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. Some sentences are disjointed, such as 'Addition of a salad bar on the left side. going further a barbeque area...', where the lack of a subject or a proper linking word makes the flow feel abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would improve the coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the changes clearly. You use terms like 'renovated', 'facilities', and 'reconfigured' effectively. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and repetitive phrasing, such as 'remains in its place' and 'remains on the same place'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial description, such as 'situated', 'relocated', or 'adjacent to'. The range is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that slightly impede the flow, such as 'addition of salad bar' (missing an article), 'right in from of' (should be 'front'), and 'Toilets also are on the same bottom right corner' (awkward phrasing). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these small errors prevents a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions will help improve your accuracy.

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

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