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 blue print of a college cafe is illustrated before and after the renovation .
Overall , there has been a noticeable change in the cafe after the renovation . There have been addition of different types of stalls , and has also increased the seating capacity of the cafe .
The cafe before had some tables and chairs , only one stall where every type of food and beverages were served either it was a dine in or it was a take away . There were 2 different rooms for staff only . Right beside the entrance there was a small trash bin .
The cafe today has changed a lot , they have removed the special cabins for staff and have now turned them into stalls for take away and for a coffee bar . The small trash bin has now been replaced by a huge recycling bin and even and outdoor seating had been added which contained a barbecue stall and in side the cafe a salad bar has been newly put forward .
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 renovation, including the addition of stalls and changes to seating. However, the description is somewhat informal and lacks precision in reporting the spatial layout. For example, the phrase 'every type of food and beverages were served' is vague and does not accurately reflect the visual data. While the main changes are identified, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more analytical. The report would benefit from a more structured approach to grouping the changes (e.g., structural changes vs. functional changes) to better highlight the transformation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the original layout to the current one. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'The cafe before' and 'The cafe today' are used to transition, but the internal flow within paragraphs is occasionally disjointed. For instance, the final paragraph attempts to list too many changes in a single long sentence, which affects the clarity of the information. Improved use of linking words such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in contrast' would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. Words like 'huge', 'small', and 'changed a lot' are quite basic. The student attempts to use specific terms like 'renovation' and 'seating capacity', which is positive. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'put forward' when describing the salad bar, which is not the most natural way to describe the placement of furniture or facilities. Expanding the range of descriptive verbs and adjectives would significantly improve the quality of the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that, while not impeding communication, are noticeable. For example, 'There have been addition' should be 'There has been an addition', and 'either it was a dine in or it was a take away' is grammatically awkward. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas. While the meaning is clear, the frequency of these minor errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct article usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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