Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-13

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 5.0)

The plan illustrates the changing made to the college cafe, comparing its layout before and after redesign.

Overall, the plan explain some changing which are made in college cafe. It shows the some major improvements in staff dinning rooms, kitchens, salad bar, barbecue and such other changings and improvments as compare to before and now.

The first changing that is occur is the staff dining rooms to coffee bar and food counter. Before redesign there was jut bins to store garbage but with the passage of time it replaced with recycling bins. On the other hand, the toilets are at same place.

In the old cafe salad bar and barbecue was not but now these two new things are added in cafe that have much benefits.

In the kitchen of old cafe there was all foods and drinks are available however now only hot meals are provided. In the old cafe there was not any sitting area in the boundry of cafe but now there are seating chairs are added at outdoor of cafe that have much benifits for students.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the addition of the salad bar, barbecue, and outdoor seating. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes, and the description of the kitchen is inaccurate based on the visual data provided (the plan shows a kitchen expansion, not a change in menu). The response is somewhat repetitive and lacks precise comparative language. To improve, focus on grouping features logically—such as structural changes versus facility additions—and ensure that the data is interpreted accurately rather than speculating on the benefits of the changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes inaccurate, such as the repetitive use of 'In the old cafe' and 'In the kitchen of old cafe'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between ideas feels disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'whereas') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus to guide the reader through the comparison of the two plans.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'changing', 'things', and 'added'. There are several errors in word formation, such as 'dinning' instead of 'dining' and 'boundry' instead of 'boundary'. The range is insufficient to convey the information with precision. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'converted', or 'installed', and pay closer attention to spelling and standard collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the plan explain', 'salad bar and barbecue was not'), incorrect verb forms ('The first changing that is occur'), and awkward phrasing ('there are seating chairs are added'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the punctuation is inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that passive voice is used correctly when describing layout changes.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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