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 given plans illustrates a college cafe before refurbishment and after the reconstruction. At a glance, the comparison of both the maps is done here.
Overall, there are some new facilities including outdoor sitting and now the cafe is reconstruct in an good way.
To commence with the first change, in the north the kitchen is as it is, but in the front of the kitchen there used to be a serving area for foods and drinks which is now relocate by hot meals. Next, on the east wall the salad bar is included and on the opposite wall of it there was a bin which is replaced by a recycling bin.
In addition, the table and chairs are as it is but in the front of it there was a dining rooms for staff, which is now taken by take away food and coffee bar. Moreover, the toilets remains same and there is new outside area where there are arrangements for seating with a brand new barbecue.
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 redesign, such as the new outdoor seating and the changes to the serving areas. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the prompt asks for a summary, the response focuses on listing changes sequentially rather than grouping them logically to highlight the transformation. Some details, such as the 'dining rooms for staff' being replaced, are described, but the overall impact of the changes could be more clearly synthesised. The response addresses the task requirements but lacks the depth of analysis expected for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of changes. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes repetitive or slightly unnatural, such as 'To commence with' and 'In addition'. The referencing is occasionally unclear; for instance, 'on the opposite wall of it' is awkward phrasing. While there is a logical flow, the transition between ideas could be smoother and more varied. The overall structure is coherent, but the mechanical nature of the linking words prevents it from reaching a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'reconstruct in an good way' and 'is now relocate by'. The student relies on basic descriptors and struggles with accurate collocations. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise verbs related to spatial changes, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'relocated', and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but does not demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'The given plans illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), 'the cafe is reconstruct' (passive voice error), and 'the toilets remains same' (subject-verb agreement). While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and verb forms limit the score. To improve, the student needs to focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct formation of passive voice, which is essential for describing processes and changes in Academic Task 1.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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