Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14
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 maps display a college cafe before and after its redesign. The cafe underwent a huge transformation after its redesign.
Overall, after its redesign, the most noticeable change was the replace of staff dining rooms with take away food and coffee bar. Barbecue area and outdoor seating has been added after its redesign.
Before cafe had staff dining rooms but now it has been removed and added takeaway food and coffee bar. Recycling bin area was small but now it has been extended. Hot meals has been added, which is a replacement of serving area like food and drink.
Salad bar has been developed in the left hand side of the cafe. After that barbecue section was built outside along with outdoor seating. Tabels and chair, toilets and kitchen are remained unchanged even after its redesign.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the redesign, such as the removal of the staff dining room and the addition of the barbecue area, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The report lacks a clear overview that synthesizes the changes effectively. Furthermore, some descriptions are inaccurate or confusing, such as the claim that the 'serving area' was replaced by 'hot meals,' which is not clearly supported by the visual data. To improve, ensure you reach the word count and provide a more precise, analytical summary of the spatial changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and sometimes repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'after its redesign.' The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the third paragraph where the transition between the removal of the dining room and the expansion of the recycling area feels abrupt. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your sentences and ideas more naturally, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You rely on basic phrasing, such as 'huge transformation' and 'added,' which does not demonstrate a sophisticated command of language. There are also some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'replace of staff dining rooms' (should be 'replacement') and 'Tabels and chair' (should be 'Tables and chairs'). To improve, focus on using more academic vocabulary related to describing changes, such as 'converted,' 'relocated,' 'expanded,' or 'remained stationary.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues like 'Barbecue area and outdoor seating has been added' (should be 'have been') and 'Hot meals has been added' (should be 'have been'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and pluralization, such as 'in the left hand side' and 'Tabels and chair.' While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic agreement and pluralization rules.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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