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 two designs compare the layout of college cafe, which redesigned, highlighting the major changes to its design and renovations.
Overall, cafe was renovated to improve its functionality desirability. The redesign introduce the wider sitting space in and outside the cafe, while old areas converted into new one. To attract the customers barbecue corner also added outside the cafe.
Most noticeable changes as staff dining rooms converted into two take away and coffee bar sections. remained in the same place, while kitchen serving area replaced with hot meals corner, salad bar counter also build west side of the cafe. Simple bin converted into recycling bins in front of the bathroom. There were barbecue corner also added outside the the cafe in south west corner of the cafe, while two entrance gates also designed. Toilets stayed in the same location. Sitting area expanded, and outdoor sitting added. Cafe become modernized and attractive for customers.
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, such as the addition of the barbecue corner and the conversion of the staff dining room. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main changes are identified, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more precise. For instance, the mention of 'two entrance gates' is vague without specifying their location or purpose. The summary is functional but lacks the depth required for a higher band, as some details are presented as a list rather than a cohesive report of the transformation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into two paragraphs, which is appropriate for a short report. There is a logical progression from the general overview to specific changes. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and occasionally mechanical (e.g., 'Most noticeable changes as...', 'while...'). The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the sentence 'remained in the same place', where the subject is missing. Paragraphing is present, but the internal flow within the second paragraph feels disjointed due to the lack of varied linking words, making the transition between different areas of the cafe feel abrupt.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward phrasing or incorrect word choices, such as 'functionality desirability' and 'salad bar counter also build'. The use of 'sitting space' and 'sitting area' is repetitive. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'renovated', 'functionality', and 'modernized', the overall range is limited. The errors in word formation (e.g., 'build' instead of 'built') do not impede communication, but they prevent the response from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Many sentences lack articles (e.g., 'cafe was renovated', 'barbecue corner also added') and there are issues with verb tense and subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'redesign introduce', 'salad bar counter also build'). Some sentences are fragmented or missing subjects, which affects clarity. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of basic grammatical slips indicates a lack of control over complex structures, keeping the score in the mid-range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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