Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The plan illustrates a college cafe whose design has been updated recently and comes with a new look
At first the cafe's serving area was across the kitchen that used to serve all kinds of food and drink.But after changing the plan the serving area provide only hot meals.Before the redesign of the cafe ,there were staff dining rooms consist of table and chairs but now the plan has new features like the food take away system and next to it ,there is coffee bar also.Some features are newly added to the cafe such as it has a salad bar and barbecue facilities with outdoor seating system consist of tables and chairs in a organized way.Though the bin and toilets are in the exact same place it used to be.On the other hand these two facilities weren't available in the previous plan.The newly design gives much more facilities that the cafe used to provide.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a clear overview of the changes made to the college cafe, addressing main features from the before and after perspectives. However, it lacks more detailed comparisons and explanations of the significance of these changes. For instance, it mentions that the serving area now focuses on hot meals, which is relevant, but does not elaborate on why this might be important for cafe operations. Further development would enhance Task Achievement, ensuring the response meets the requirements more thoroughly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The coherence and cohesion in the writing are relatively weak. While there are some logical links between sentences, there are moments of abrupt transitions, such as "Though the bin and toilets are in the exact same place..." This phrase leads to a confusing conjunction of ideas. Better use of linking words and clearer paragraphing might improve the overall flow, making it easier for readers to follow the progression of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The lexical resource displayed in the response shows a basic range of vocabulary related to the topic. However, phrases like "provides only hot meals" could be enhanced to convey more specifics, such as "exclusively offers hot meals." There are instances of repetition, particularly with terms such as "cafes" and "serving area." Expanding vocabulary and using more varied expressions would elevate the overall word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
Grammatical range and accuracy are limited in the text; there are several issues with punctuation and sentence structures. For example, missing commas after introductory clauses and certain run-on sentences hinder clarity: "At first the cafe's serving area was across the kitchen that used to serve all kinds of food and drink.But after changing the plan the serving area provide only hot meals." This affects comprehension. A focus on correcting sentence structure and punctuation could improve this score.
Overall feedback
Your response effectively outlines the key changes made to the college cafe, noting features like the addition of a salad bar and barbecue facilities. However, to improve, aim to provide more specific details about these changes and their implications for cafe patrons. Enhance cohesion by employing more varied linking words for better flow. Focus on developing your vocabulary; use more precise terms and reduce repetition. Additionally, pay attention to grammatical accuracy, especially punctuation and sentence structures, to strengthen clarity and coherence in your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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