Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19
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 5.0)
The information about a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now had been demonstrated by maps .
Overall, it is crystal clear that there are significant changes in the maps . Kitchen and Toilets are stable same place.
To begin with , before and now are major changes between both. kitchen are same are stable both before and now . In western side, bin converted into recycled bin . Furthermore, staff dining rooms converted into take away food and coffee bar .
Moreover, In eastern side, modified with salad bar and , the central area were similar before and now . In eastern and southern side corner modified with Barbecue with making outdoor seating area .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the task. While the main features of the cafe redesign are identified, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive overview. The comparison between the 'before' and 'now' states is attempted, but the lack of sufficient length prevents a thorough analysis of the changes. To improve, you must expand on the descriptions of the layout changes, providing more specific details about the locations and the nature of the modifications to ensure the task is fully addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into short paragraphs, which helps with the overall structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. While some cohesive devices like 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover' are used, they are sometimes applied mechanically or in a way that does not clearly link the information. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'before and now are major changes between both', which is grammatically awkward and confusing. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus will help improve the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'changes', 'modified', and 'same place'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'bin converted into recycled bin' and 'staff dining rooms converted into take away food'. These errors indicate a need for a more precise and varied vocabulary to describe spatial changes and features. To reach a higher band, focus on learning specific collocations related to describing maps and diagrams, such as 'transformed into', 'relocated', or 'replaced by'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'had been demonstrated by maps' (incorrect tense), 'Kitchen and Toilets are stable same place' (missing articles and awkward phrasing), and 'the central area were similar' (subject-verb agreement error). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that your verb tenses are consistent when describing past and present states.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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