Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16
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 diagram illustrates a comparison of a cafe before and after renovation. As we can observe, there are several blocks within the cafe, representing the individual activities performed, such as the kitchen and dining room for staff, etc.
Initially, before the redesign, the cafe kitchen and serving area were segregated in the same block, and the major occupation was tables and chairs, where the two dining rooms for the staff and toilet area were segregated in it as well. The recycling bin was located between the entry on the left side towards the toilets.
After considerable renovation. Today, the cafe has a dedicated block just for the kitchen, with no change to the recycling bin and the toilets' location. However, the two staff dining rooms have been upgraded into a takeaway and a coffee bar, with an additional section for salads and barbecue in the outdoor setting.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the cafe redesign, the overview is somewhat limited. You mention the kitchen and dining areas but fail to provide a clear, concise summary of the most significant changes, such as the expansion of the seating area or the removal of the internal walls. The description of the layout is occasionally confusing, particularly regarding the 'segregated' blocks. To improve, ensure you provide a clear overview of the overall transformation and ensure the response meets the minimum length to fully develop your points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is logically organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the 'before' to the 'after' state. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For instance, the transition 'After considerable renovation. Today...' is grammatically fragmented and disrupts the flow. While you use some linking words like 'however' and 'initially', the connection between sentences could be smoother. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that your paragraphing is supported by more sophisticated sentence transitions.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'renovation', 'segregated', and 'dedicated block'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'major occupation was tables and chairs', which is not a natural collocation in this context. Additionally, the phrasing 'segregated in it as well' is slightly awkward. To improve, focus on using more precise vocabulary to describe spatial arrangements and furniture, and ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as the sentence fragment 'After considerable renovation.' and the awkward phrasing 'where the two dining rooms... were segregated in it as well.' While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall clarity. To improve, pay closer attention to sentence boundaries and ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Practicing the use of relative clauses and passive voice will also help improve your grammatical range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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