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 below show a college cafe before it was designed and how it looks now.

The picture show information about a college cafe which is renovate they change a lot of things in cafe of the cafe before renovating is cozy not a lot of place for the students but after the renovations it become more good and more open and it has a lot of species for sitting

Well, before the cafe is small not too much counter for foods I seen this picture before redesigning the cafe on the top of the left side we saw a kitchen hot

Meals and staff and also some chairs and table tables in area behind the staff tables and on the right side of the centre is bin and in the right bottom side we saw toilet . This is the design before renovating the cafe

Now today cafe is much more bigger and a lot of food counters and a lot first of all on the top left side, we saw kitchen and kitchen and also we saw new two counters which is takeaway food and second one is coffee bar and also we saw a salad bar in dining hall recycle bin and toilets on the bottom now they add outdoor seat in the cafe behind the hall there are a lot of sitting chairs and in outdoor seating we also see a new counter is barbecue. This is the new design which is bigger and many more thing adding in cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the changes between the two plans, but it fails to provide a clear overview or a structured comparison. While the student identifies some features like the kitchen and seating, the description is disorganized and lacks a professional, analytical tone. The response relies heavily on listing items rather than summarizing the main trends or significant transformations. Furthermore, the inclusion of personal commentary like 'I seen this picture' is inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 report. To improve, focus on identifying the most significant changes—such as the expansion of the dining area and the addition of new facilities—and present these in a formal, objective manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is weak. The progression of ideas is often confusing, with repetitive phrasing such as 'we saw' used throughout the text. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, leading to a disjointed flow. For example, the transition between the 'before' and 'after' descriptions is abrupt and lacks clear signposting. To reach a higher band, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'furthermore') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as one paragraph for the original layout and another for the redesigned layout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'good', 'big', and 'things'. There are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'species' instead of 'space' and 'renovate' used as a noun. The language lacks the precision required for describing diagrams or architectural changes. To improve, you should learn specific vocabulary related to describing maps and plans, such as 'extended', 'relocated', 'converted', or 'demolished'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and nouns will help you convey information more accurately and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'The picture show', 'cafe is much more bigger') and tense usage (e.g., 'before the cafe is small'). Sentence structures are mostly simple and repetitive, with very few attempts at complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas and run-on sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and practicing the correct use of past and present tenses when describing changes over time.

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

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