Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18
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 is about a college cafe which redesign.The chart of before redesign and after redesign show many similarities and difference,which are written below.
There is only three things similar in both of the plans,first is kitchen,second is toilets and third is the location of tables and chairs inside the cafe.These things are exact on the same place as before cafe redesign and cafe today.
There are also three locations that are replaced,bin is replaced by recycling bins,staff dining rooms are converted into two parts one is take away food part and second is coffee bar,serving area(all food & drink) is converted into hot meals area.
Now move to the three new things introduce in redesign is salad bar,barbecue area and also an outdoor seating in side of barbecue.There are five tables in outdoor seating consist of two four chairs table and three six chairs table.There is also two new gates for outdoor seating,except of them all gates are on same place as they are before redesign.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response identifies the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the kitchen, toilets, and new additions like the salad bar and barbecue area. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary statement, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat mechanical, listing changes point-by-point rather than synthesising the information into a coherent comparison. While the key features are mentioned, the analysis lacks the level of detail and professional tone required for a higher band. To improve, ensure you include an introductory overview that highlights the most significant changes, such as the expansion of seating and the diversification of food service areas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. Phrases like 'There is only three things' and 'Now move to the three new things' are quite simplistic and mechanical. The use of referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between ideas feels disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Regarding the layout') to connect your points more fluidly. Additionally, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence to guide the reader through the comparison.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases such as 'things' and 'exact on the same place' are imprecise. There is an attempt to use specific terminology like 'recycling bins' and 'take away food part,' but the overall range is limited. The expression 'except of them all gates are on same place' is awkward and lacks the precision expected at higher levels. To improve, focus on using more descriptive verbs and nouns related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated,' 'transformed,' 'expanded,' or 'integrated,' to convey the information more professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'There is only three things') and article usage. Sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited use of complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing spaces after commas. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic structures prevents the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and incorporating more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, to describe the changes to the cafe layout.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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