Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-06

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 5.0)

The maps illustrates about the idea of the collage cafe before reconstruction and the after construction done.

Overall, it is very evident that some significant changes have been made in the cafe plane. And some extra area have been introduce in the premises.

Initially the place which was used for staff dining room, now has been converted in to two section which follows as take away food and coffee bar.

Just left to the entrance now there is a recycling bins which is upgraded from bin. There is new salad bar is introduced just near the kitchen. Even in the kitchen serving area is now been replaced with hot meals section.

Outdoor seating area is also developed outside of the cafe, which includes 5 tables and 26 chairs. The introduction of this has enlarge the cafe area. Whereas no changes has been made in toilet area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the conversion of the staff room, the addition of the salad bar, and the new outdoor seating. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the score. While the main features are identified, the description lacks sufficient detail and comparative analysis to fully develop the response. The overview is present but could be more comprehensive. Because the length requirement was not met, the task achievement is limited, as the information is not fully extended or supported as required for higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate, such as 'which follows as' and 'Even in the kitchen serving area is now been replaced'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed. While there is a logical attempt to group information (before vs. after), the lack of sophisticated linking words prevents the response from reaching a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are several awkward phrasings, such as 'collage cafe' (likely a misspelling of college) and 'cafe plane' (likely meant to be 'plan'). The range is limited, relying on basic descriptors like 'upgraded' and 'introduced'. To improve, you should focus on using more precise terminology related to spatial changes and architectural features, and ensure that word choices are contextually appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The maps illustrates', 'some extra area have been introduce') and incorrect verb tenses or passive voice constructions ('is now been replaced', 'no changes has been made'). While there is an attempt to use complex structures, they are often faulty. The sentence structures are relatively simple, and the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents a higher score.

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

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