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 given maps depict the outlines of a college cafeteria in the past and present time. It is clearly noted from the images that several changes have been implemented to redesign the cafe.
To start with the north-west corner of a cafe, the corner was previously occupied by a kitchen and serving area where all foods and drinks were being served in the past, however, today this serves only hot meals. In addition, dining areas for staff are replaced by the the table for take away food and a coffee bar. Though, the garbage bin has been upgraded in recycling bin, the toilets in the south-east corner remained same as past.
Moreover, there are some new attractions in the cafe, for a variety in food, a new salad bar is established in the west zone of dining area where chairs and tables are arranged. Similarly, a major attraction for students has been set up just outside the cafe to have their meals in an open view nature.
To sum up, as compared to the past, the newly designed dining area of college looks very upgraded and modern.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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, identifying key changes such as the kitchen, dining areas, and the addition of a salad bar and outdoor seating. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, such as the overall expansion of dining capacity or the modernization of facilities. While the main features are identified, the description is somewhat fragmented and lacks a cohesive comparison between the two layouts. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most striking changes rather than just listing individual modifications.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the interior changes to the new outdoor features. Cohesive devices such as 'To start with', 'In addition', and 'Moreover' are used to link sentences. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as 'the the table' and 'remained same as past', which slightly disrupt the flow. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within the second paragraph could be strengthened by grouping related changes more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'implemented', 'redesign', and 'attractions' used correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'remained same as past' (should be 'remained the same as in the past') and 'open view nature' (which is non-standard). The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Focusing on more natural collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing would enhance the quality of the writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including article misuse ('the the table'), preposition errors ('upgraded in recycling bin' instead of 'upgraded to a recycling bin'), and awkward phrasing ('remained same as past'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, the student should focus on article usage, correct prepositional phrases, and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing past and present states.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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