Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

There are two models given above, first one shows the model that was decided .On the other hand ,the second picture shows the actual cafe that came into being.

The first picture illustrates that cafe was pre decided to have a very basic structure ,that'll be consisted of a very basic structure .Briefly explained it was supposed to have basic sitting area that will be embellished with chairs and tables and will provide a common toilet in one corner while having a bin beside or in front of the toilet .It was planned to have staff dinning room beside main customers sitting area and a kitchen on the back side of the space.

The second diagram demonstrates , how actually the cafe turned out.AS for me the real cafe was built far more better than it was planned .In the real cafe the kitchen has the same place and structure while there are certain changes like instead of using the space for staff dinning .they turned that space into coffee bar and take away food section .Toilet also holds the same place as well as the main sitting area for the customers but there are some minor changes like bin have been altered with recycling bin .There is another section added in the main hall called salad bar .The major contribution in the real model is the use of outdoor space as they have used it as outdoor sitting area while adding a barbecue section in one side.

so in conclusion ,the real the cafe was built with much more detailing than it was given in the first picture.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the two plans, including the layout changes and the addition of new facilities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. However, the report is weakened by a subjective tone ('As for me the real cafe was built far more better'). In IELTS Academic Task 1, you must remain objective and avoid personal opinions. While you identified the key changes, the description of the 'before' plan is slightly repetitive, and the comparison could be more analytical. To improve, focus on grouping features logically (e.g., structural changes vs. functional changes) and ensure the tone remains formal and descriptive throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the initial plan to the final result. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or awkward, such as the transition 'Briefly explained it was supposed to have'. Additionally, some sentences are poorly connected, and the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly around commas and periods. The conclusion is also quite brief and lacks a strong summary of the overall transformation. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would help elevate the score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the changes, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. There is significant repetition of basic words like 'basic', 'structure', and 'place'. Phrases such as 'came into being' and 'turned that space into' are somewhat informal. To achieve a higher score, you should use more precise vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'converted', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'incorporated'. Furthermore, there are minor errors in word choice, such as 'staff dinning' (should be 'dining') and 'bin have been altered' (should be 'bins have been replaced').

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('bin have been altered'), incorrect verb tenses ('that'll be consisted of'), and awkward phrasing ('the real the cafe'). Punctuation is also problematic, with spaces missing after commas and periods. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would be highly beneficial.

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

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