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)

This map illustrates the difference between cafe before redesigning and today's cafe.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that some modern renovations occur in today's cafe rather than before.

Firstly, it can be seen that at the northeast corner of map, the serving area is replaced by hot metals. In the top middle of map, staff dining rooms are renovated into two portion i.e, take away food and coffee bar. Secondly, in the southeast corner of map, the new areas are designed for Salad bar and barbecue.

Below the map, the space is occupied for outdoor seating and people enjoyed the barbecue with fresh air at here. In the middle of south, the bin area is renovated as modern recycling bins. This area becomes more safe and clean than before. But, the central area of cafe which is used for tables and chairs was not changed. Moreover, in the southwest corner, place of toilets was also not changed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the serving area, the new food stations, and the outdoor seating. You also correctly noted the areas that remained unchanged. However, the response lacks a clear overview paragraph that synthesizes the most significant changes. While you mention that renovations occurred, a more detailed summary of the overall transformation—such as the shift toward a more varied food service and outdoor social space—would improve the score. Additionally, some descriptions are slightly inaccurate, such as referring to the serving area being replaced by 'hot metals' rather than specific food service equipment, which affects the precision of your reporting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is generally coherent, and you have used some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Moreover' to structure your points. However, the paragraphing is weak; the entire response is essentially one block of text, which hinders the logical flow. To improve, you should group related information into distinct paragraphs—for example, one for the new additions and one for the unchanged features. Furthermore, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as 'Below the map', which is a spatial description rather than a logical transition. Improving the use of paragraphing and varied linking words would significantly enhance the clarity of your report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovated', 'occupied', and 'replaced'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For instance, 'hot metals' is not a standard term for kitchen equipment, and 'two portion' should be 'two portions' or 'two sections'. Additionally, the phrase 'at here' is grammatically incorrect and unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise terminology related to floor plans and facility descriptions, and ensure that your word choices are contextually appropriate for a formal report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the difference between cafe before redesigning' (missing articles), 'two portion' (number agreement), and 'This area becomes more safe' (should be 'safer'). There are also issues with preposition usage, such as 'in the middle of south'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on article usage (a/the), subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of comparative adjectives.

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

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