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 maps give the information about the modernization of cafe shop and the present design figure today.
Overall, the most noticable changes is the serving area located in the north besides of kitchen. In the center which is a counter for customers takeout and coffee bar. In the outside, the spacious area for dining tables and a grill roast barbecue in the corner.
To begin with, the coffee shop before was quite simple, it has a kitchen and serving area for buyers. In the middle, a place for staff which is particulary for their dining areas. A wide range for stacks on tables and chairs with the trash bin in the east side and a restroom.
In other hand, a new design today kitchen is still remain on the position, and they create an extension for hot meals. Second, the new rooms for takeout orders and coffee bar which is facing the side of salad bar and a recycling bins. On the outdoor a wide range of seats and tables for consumers and barbecue shop.
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, including the kitchen, serving area, and outdoor seating. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the most significant changes. While you identify the serving area and outdoor space, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is hampered by imprecise language, such as 'quite simple' and 'a wide range for stacks'. To improve, focus on using more precise comparative language and ensuring that the most important spatial changes are highlighted clearly in the overview. The report addresses the task requirements but lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'In other hand' (should be 'On the other hand') and 'To begin with'. The progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, particularly in the second paragraph where the description of the original layout feels cluttered. Referencing is occasionally confusing, making it difficult to visualize the spatial changes. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words will help create a smoother flow between your observations.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision needed for describing diagrams. Phrases like 'modernization of cafe shop' and 'design figure today' are slightly unnatural. You rely on basic descriptors such as 'wide range' and 'simple', which do not fully capture the specific features of the plans. There are also some word-choice errors, such as 'stacks on tables' (likely meaning 'seating') and 'grill roast barbecue'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more specific terminology related to floor plans and spatial arrangements, such as 'relocated', 'extended', or 'adjacent'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but grammatical control is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in subject-verb agreement, such as 'the most noticable changes is' and 'kitchen is still remain'. Prepositional errors are also common, for example, 'besides of kitchen' and 'on the outdoor'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to distract the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement, and practice using prepositions correctly when describing locations.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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