Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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 plans given depicts a comparison of a college cafe before and after the redevelopment.

On comparing both the given picture, before there was just one area for all food and drink serving whereas now there is only area for hot meals into the kitchen. Tables and chairs are still on the same place but staff dining rooms has been replaced into two new zones which is take away food zone and a coffee bar. On the left of the cafe a salad bar is located and the restrooms and recycling bins are at the same place.

They have developed an outdoor seating and a barbecue just out side the college cafe which brings more space for people to sit and enjoy.

Overall, there are only few changes have been made new food zones are added, and seating area has developed to make it easy for people to figure out where to go.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the new food zones, the outdoor seating, and the relocation of the kitchen. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the mention of 'tables and chairs are still on the same place' is inaccurate based on the visual evidence, as the layout has clearly changed. The overview is also quite brief and lacks a clear synthesis of the most significant changes. To improve, you should focus on more precise reporting of the spatial changes and ensure the overview highlights the most striking transformations, such as the shift from a single service area to specialized zones.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally inaccurate. For instance, the phrase 'On comparing both the given picture' is grammatically awkward and does not effectively link the introduction to the body. Additionally, the transition between the description of the interior and the exterior is abrupt. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the same place') is precise would improve the flow and coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'replaced into two new zones' and 'just out side'. While the meaning is clear, the word choices are basic and sometimes incorrect in terms of collocation. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more sophisticated vocabulary related to describing changes, such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'relocated', and ensure that prepositions are used correctly with these verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'The plans given depicts' (subject-verb agreement error), 'there is only area' (missing article), and 'there are only few changes have been made' (incorrect verb structure). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately will help improve your score in this criterion.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.