Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08
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 BELOW BLUEPRINT SHOWS THE BEFORE AND AFTER REBUILDING OF COLLEGE CAFE. OVERALL, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE ARE SOME OF PLACE ARE UNCHANGED AND FEW ARE NEWLY IMPLEMENTS WHILE OTHER ARE REPLACED AND FEW COMPLETELY REMOVE FROM CURRENTLY DESIGNED CAFE.
TO BEGINS WITH, BEFORE REDESIGNING THE LARGE AREA IN NORTH-WEST CORNER OCCUPIED BY KITCHEN AND NUST BESIDE IN SOUTH SIDE THERE WAS SERVING AREA WHERE PEOPLE GET ALL THE DRINKS AND FOOD. MOREOVER THE LARGE RECTANGULAR SHAPE OF CAFE FOR TABLE AND CHAIRS ALONG JUST BELOW THE SERVING AREA. FURTHERMORE, TOILETS AND BIN WAS PLACED IN SOUTH-WEST CORNER OF THE CAFE. ALSO, TWO STAFF ROOMS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT AREA.
CURRENTLY, KITCHEN IS AT SAME PLACE WHERE IT LOCATED. IN ADDITION, THE SALAD BAR IS BUILT INSIDE THE TABLE AND CHAIR ARE ON WEST SIDE. MOREOVER, BESIDE THE CAFE NEW BARBECUE STAND INTRODUCED ALONG WITH OUTDOOR SEATING AREA FOR PEOPLE.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the kitchen, seating, and new additions like the barbecue stand. However, the description is somewhat incomplete; for instance, the mention of the 'salad bar' and the 'outdoor seating' is brief, and the spatial relationships are sometimes difficult to follow. The overview is present but lacks clarity due to grammatical errors. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states by using precise spatial language (e.g., 'relocated to the eastern wing') rather than just listing features. The response addresses the prompt but lacks the depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which is a logical structure for this task. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'TO BEGINS WITH' and 'CURRENTLY, KITCHEN IS AT SAME PLACE'. The progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing, making it difficult to visualize the changes. While there is an attempt to use linking words, they are not always used naturally. Improving the variety and accuracy of transition signals will help the reader follow the comparison more smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'at same place' and 'newly implements' show limited control over word choice and collocation. There are also errors in word formation, such as 'currently designed cafe' and 'newly implements'. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to describing layouts, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'transformed', or 'converted'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and nouns will make your writing more professional and accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('the kitchen', 'the cafe'), subject-verb agreement ('other are replaced', 'two staff rooms are included'), and tense consistency. The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. For example, 'TO BEGINS WITH' is grammatically incorrect. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb forms, and using articles appropriately. Incorporating a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, would also help demonstrate better grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.