Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09
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 plans illustrate a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks at present.
Overall, the college cafe underwent significant modernisation over the period. Several new facilities are introduced by replacing older facilities. Some of the existing amenities remained unchanged.
On the northern side of a serving area section was removed and replaced by a hot meals section, whereas a kitchen remained unchanged. A staff and a dining rooms were converted into two new sections and introduced the take away food room and the coffee bar. On the western side of cafe a salad bar was introduced. Table and chairs in the center of the cafe remain unchanged.
On the southeast corner Toilets remain unchanged, furthermore south one new Barbecue section with outdoor seating were opened. On the east side a bin was replaced with a recycling bins. The entry of cafe remain unchanged, while two more door were introduced for entry and exit of barbecue section on the south side of cafe. The area of the cafe extended by introduction of the barbecue section.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted the key changes, such as the introduction of the barbecue area and the conversion of the staff/dining rooms. However, the report lacks precision in describing the spatial relationships. For instance, stating 'On the northern side of a serving area section was removed' is grammatically confusing and makes the location of the changes difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are clearly linked to specific locations on the map, and avoid minor inaccuracies in describing the layout, such as the placement of the new barbecue section.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs focusing on different areas of the cafe. You use some cohesive devices like 'whereas', 'furthermore', and 'while' to connect ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, 'On the southeast corner Toilets remain unchanged, furthermore south one new Barbecue section...' is a run-on sentence that lacks proper punctuation and logical flow. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each sentence follows a clear, grammatical structure would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'modernisation', 'converted', 'introduced', and 'replaced'. This is adequate for the task. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'take away food room' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'recycling bins' (plural used when singular was likely intended). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, try to use more precise terminology for architectural features and ensure that your word choices are consistently natural and accurate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the report. Examples include 'A staff and a dining rooms were converted' (incorrect article and pluralisation), 'On the western side of cafe' (missing article), and 'two more door were introduced' (subject-verb agreement error). While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and punctuation indicate a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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