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 two map displays a college cafeteria and describes its conditions in the term of past and now in the present when it brings changes.
Overall, it can be seen that the cafeteria had few facilities for the student in the past. Today it has many new basic facilities.
Firstly, in the term of past cafeteria were in only local facilities. It had a small kitchen for few eatables. It also had a limited serving area included all food and some types of drinks. It had a dining area for senior staff and teachers. This area associated for only school staff members. It had a bin, toilets, tables and chairs for the students.
After all, in the present when it redesigns it enjoys a lot of modern facilities. It includes such a microwave equipment for hot meals, a salad bar for allergens and vegetarians, a new coffee bar, a modern recycling bin. It also have a barbecue, outdoor seating area for students and includes a facility to take away food students with them.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, identifying key changes such as the addition of a coffee bar, salad bar, and outdoor seating. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, analytical comparison between the two plans. While the overview is present, it is quite basic. The response would benefit from a more structured approach that groups features logically rather than listing them sequentially. Some details, such as the specific location of the staff area, are mentioned but not clearly contrasted with the current layout. To improve, focus on highlighting the most significant transformations rather than listing every individual item.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the past to the present. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as 'After all, in the present when it redesigns'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult to track exactly where certain features are located on the map. The flow between sentences is functional but lacks the sophisticated linking required for higher bands. Improving the variety of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'local facilities' and 'eatables' are not the most natural choices in this context. There is an attempt to use specific terms like 'allergens' and 'barbecue', which is positive, but the overall range is limited. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise collocations related to describing maps and changes, such as 'undergone a transformation', 'relocated', or 'expanded'. Avoid repeating simple words like 'facilities' and 'area' throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The two map displays' (subject-verb agreement), 'in the term of past' (incorrect prepositional phrase), and 'It also have a barbecue' (subject-verb agreement). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence construction often feels clunky. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles and prepositions. Increasing the variety of complex structures while ensuring they remain error-free will help elevate your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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