Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 layout plan of a college cafe illustrate the changes happpened before and after redesign of its inteiror. And it displays how it looks today compared to before redesign.

Overall, By comparision of both layouts it seems that some palces were remains unchange and also other features like staff dinning rooms,service area are relocated or replaced. Furthurmore, extra seating are addded in certain place.

Before redesign of cafe, it consists of less feature compare to present design. Here, Kitchen remains unchange without any replacing in the cafe followed by tables and chair occupies a very huge place at the center of cafe. Additonally, Toilets at southeast corner also remains unchange since before redesign of cafe.

Thier are some features which were added in present layout. Two entrance are added at south side of the layout with doors and also a saalad bar implemented at westside of the cafe. Moreover, a barbecue was added near leftside entrance followed by lots of outdoor seating arrangments at southside of the cafe which was not a part of layout in past. Although, staff dining rooms are replaced with two sections they are Take away food near to the kitchen and coffee bar respectively. And also service area was replaced with hot meal section. Then, Bin was replaced with multiple recycling bins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the kitchen, seating, and new additions like the salad bar and barbecue. You have successfully identified the key changes and made comparisons between the two layouts. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the most significant changes. While you mention some details, the description of the 'before' and 'after' states is slightly repetitive. To reach a higher band, ensure your overview highlights the most striking transformations—such as the expansion of seating and the diversification of food service areas—rather than just listing individual features. The information is generally accurate, but the structure could be more focused on grouping related changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. You use some cohesive devices like 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'Moreover' to link ideas. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural. For instance, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is a bit abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the phrase 'followed by tables and chair occupies a very huge place'. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that pronouns and linking words refer clearly to the previous information would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to describe the layout changes, using terms like 'relocated', 'redesign', and 'arrangements'. However, there are several spelling errors ('happpened', 'inteiror', 'palces', 'saalad') and some awkward word choices, such as 'huge place' instead of 'large area' or 'significant space'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, the frequent spelling mistakes and occasional imprecise collocations limit your score. To improve, focus on proofreading for common spelling errors and try to use more precise academic vocabulary to describe spatial changes and functional areas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt to use complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('kitchen remains unchange', 'extra seating are addded') and article usage. There are also issues with word forms, such as 'unchange' instead of 'unchanged'. These errors are noticeable and occur throughout the text, though they do not completely impede communication. To improve, pay closer attention to verb tenses and pluralization rules. Focusing on consistent subject-verb agreement will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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