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 given maps presents the information regarding changes that occurred in a college cafe.
as an overview, the cafe went through several alterations with the passage of year, few buildings were demolished and rebuilt ;however, some remained intact.
Prior to being restructured, bin in the east was demolished and a recycling bin of larger size was built there. In northern part of cafe there were 2 staff dining rooms which were transformed into two others rooms, first one as take away food and the other as coffee bar respectively. Tables and chairs were kept in center of the cafe which remained intact ;however, a salad bar was built there in west side.
Moreover ,in north-west side of cafe there was a kitchen which was untouched throughout the years ;meanwhile, there was a food and drink serving area which was used as hot meals later. Furthermore south side was mostly vacant before but with passage of time outdoor seating area and a barbecue was built there.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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, including the removal of the bin, the transformation of the staff rooms, and the addition of the outdoor seating area. However, the overview is slightly vague, and the description of the layout is sometimes confusing, such as the mention of the kitchen being 'untouched' when the visual data suggests specific changes. While the key features are identified, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more precise to fully satisfy the requirements of a Band 7. The report is accurate in its identification of the main changes but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of changes. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the repetitive use of 'however' and 'furthermore'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when describing the location of the salad bar and the kitchen. While the overall arrangement is coherent, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between the 'before' and 'after' states is more fluid.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the changes clearly. There are some attempts at more specific vocabulary, such as 'demolished', 'rebuilt', and 'intact'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'with the passage of year' (should be 'years') and 'in northern part of cafe' (missing articles). The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility or precision required for a higher band score. The vocabulary is functional but lacks sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly regarding article usage (e.g., 'in east', 'in northern part', 'in west side') and punctuation (e.g., unnecessary spaces before commas). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The control over complex structures is inconsistent, and there are minor issues with subject-verb agreement and prepositional phrases. Improving the accuracy of articles and refining sentence structure will help elevate the grammatical score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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