Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-07
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 plan illustrates about old and redisigned view od a college cafe.
Overall, the cafe shows a lot of changes made to the arrangement and construction of some new points. there are also some buildings which are same as before.
The pan demostrates that serving area is replaced with a hot meals and the kitchen is at the same place as it was before. The staff dinning rooms on the right side of the serving area are replaced with coffee bar and take away food areas. The tables and chairs are at the same place before and after redesigning. A salaad bar is installed on the north west side of the kitchen, and the recycling bins and toilets are in the former place.
A barbecue area is newly installed on the opposite side of the kitchen. Outdoor seatings are well arranged opposite to the kitchen and to right side of the barbecue.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, identifying key changes such as the new coffee bar, barbecue area, and outdoor seating. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While it mentions that the kitchen and tables remain in the same place, it lacks a more analytical approach to the spatial changes. The overview is quite brief and could be more descriptive regarding the overall transformation. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states with more precise spatial language, as the current report feels a bit like a list of features rather than a cohesive summary of the redesign.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the overview and the body paragraphs is abrupt. There are also issues with referencing; phrases like 'same place before and after redesigning' are slightly repetitive. The logical flow is generally clear, but the lack of varied linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') makes the progression feel a bit disjointed. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would significantly enhance the flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several spelling errors, such as 'redisigned', 'od', 'demostrates', and 'salaad', which detract from the professional tone. The range of vocabulary is limited to basic descriptors like 'replaced', 'installed', and 'same place'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more sophisticated synonyms and precise terminology related to architectural plans, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'reconfigured', or 'adjacent to'. Focusing on accurate spelling and expanding your repertoire of descriptive verbs will help improve your score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'The given plan illustrates about' (unnecessary preposition), 'the cafe shows a lot of changes made to the arrangement' (awkward phrasing), and 'there are also some buildings which are same as before' (missing article). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. While the meaning remains clear despite these errors, the frequency of slips in basic grammar and article usage prevents a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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