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 plan given below shows the information about a college cafe before and after redesigned. Many changes takes place after renovation.
Overall, there are lots of changes in the cafe. However, the main change was outdoor seating and barbecue. Size of the cafe is now larger as compared to before. Kitchen is on the same place. However, the serving area is replaced hot meals
.
Firstly, we can see that the staff dining rooms was replaced by the take away food and cafe bar. Tables and chairs were on the same place as before it was the main part of the cafe. Toilet were situated in the bottom right corner, while the bin was placed along the right hand wall.
Moving towards the other changes, dustbin is now replaced by recycling bin. More space is now available for more customers in outdoor seating. The new compartment has been added for salad bar after redesigning. The toilet remain at the bottom-right.
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, such as the addition of outdoor seating and the changes to the serving area. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview. While you mention that the cafe is larger, you do not effectively contrast the 'before' and 'after' states in a way that highlights the transformation clearly. Some details, such as the bin placement, are minor and distract from the main trends. To improve, focus on grouping features logically (e.g., structural changes vs. functional changes) and ensure the overview synthesizes the most significant changes rather than just listing them.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Firstly', 'Moving towards'). There are instances where the logical flow is disrupted by awkward phrasing, such as the abrupt transition between the kitchen and the serving area. Referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when describing the location of features. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus that connects smoothly to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. You rely on basic verbs like 'replaced' and 'placed' multiple times. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'before and after redesigned' (should be 'before and after the redesign') and 'replaced hot meals' (which is unclear). To improve, incorporate more descriptive vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'expanded', 'relocated', 'converted', or 'integrated'. Using more precise terminology will help convey the information more professionally and accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of the text. Examples include 'Many changes takes place' (subject-verb agreement), 'Kitchen is on the same place' (preposition error), and 'The toilet remain' (subject-verb agreement). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Additionally, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice constructions, to describe the changes more fluently.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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