Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The provided maps compare the layout and development of a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks today.

Overall, it is apparent that the college cafe underwent considerable transformation, with several new facilities being introduced and existing structures being modified.

Before redesign, a cafe consisted mainly of some features such as kitchen, toilets, bin, staff dining rooms, tables and chairs, and serving area ( all food and drink ). To the northwest, there was a kictchen and serving area was located beside a kitchen. The staff dining rooms were located in the east, while the toilets were positioned in the southeast. Additionally, a bin was placed in the east and the tables and chairs were located in the centre of a cafe

Today, significant changes have taken place. The former serving area has been replaced by the hot meals and the staff dining rooms have been superseded by two latest facilities such as take away food and coffee bar. Furthermore, the novel recycling bins, an area for barbecue, a salad bar, and an outdoor seating have been introduced. Lastly, the toilets, tables, and chairs are remained at their previous positions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted the key changes, such as the introduction of new facilities and the relocation or modification of existing ones. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is logical and covers all significant aspects of the diagrams. To reach a higher band, ensure that you avoid listing items in a way that feels like a catalogue; instead, focus on grouping features more effectively to highlight the overall spatial transformation. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the relevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving from the initial state to the current layout. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Before redesign', 'Today', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be more refined to ensure a smoother flow between the description of the old layout and the new one. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some sentences could be linked more fluidly to improve the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'considerable transformation', 'superseded', and 'introduced'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'two latest facilities' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'the novel recycling bins' (where 'novel' is not the best fit for this context). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band. Focusing on more natural collocations and precise terminology for describing spatial changes would enhance your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a cafe consisted mainly of some features such as kitchen' (missing articles), 'the tables and chairs are remained' (incorrect passive voice), and 'a cafe' (inconsistent use of articles). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and the passive voice, which is essential for describing processes and layouts in Academic Task 1.

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

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