Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The maps illustrate the layout of a café before and after a proposed redevelopment.

Overall, the café is expected to undergo substantial changes, with several existing facilities being removed or relocated and a number of new features being introduced. The most notable changes are the addition of outdoor seating and a takeaway area, alongside a reduction in the space allocated to tables and chairs.

Before the redevelopment, the café has a relatively simple layout. The entrance is located in the south-western corner, leading directly into an open seating area containing several tables and chairs. A counter occupies the northern part of the café, while a kitchen is situated in the north-west corner. There is also a toilet in the south-eastern corner. Most of the remaining floor space is devoted to customer seating.

Following the proposed changes, the internal arrangement will become more structured. The kitchen will remain in the north-west corner, while the counter will be repositioned and expanded. The existing seating area will be reduced, with some tables and chairs removed to make room for additional facilities. A takeaway counter will also be introduced, enabling customers to purchase food and drinks without necessarily using the main seating area.

Outside the building, the most significant development will be the creation of a new seating area. Tables and chairs will be placed in the outdoor space, providing customers with the option of eating and drinking outside. Overall, the redevelopment will transform the café from a relatively basic indoor establishment into a more diversified venue with improved facilities and greater flexibility for customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student effectively summarizes the changes in the café layout, addressing the task requirements commendably. They clearly identify major alterations, such as the introduction of outdoor seating and a takeaway area, while explaining the previous arrangement. However, the overview lacks a concise statement summarizing the main changes, which could enhance clarity and coherence. Overall, the response adequately meets the task requirements. Score: 7/9

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is generally coherent and logically structured, progressing from the current layout to the proposed changes in a clear manner. Transition phrases like 'before the redevelopment' and 'following the proposed changes' guide the reader through the text effectively. However, there could be slight improvements in linking sentences and paragraphs for even better flow. Thus, coherence and cohesion are strong but could be refined. Score: 7/9

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used in the response is mostly appropriate and varied. Terms such as "substantial changes" and "repositioned" demonstrate a good range of lexical resource. Nevertheless, there are instances of less precise language, such as "a relatively simple layout" when it could be more descriptive. Introducing a few more specific terms related to café design or seating arrangements could elevate this score further. Score: 7/9

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammatical structures used are varied and generally accurate, with only a few minor errors. For instance, the phrase "the café has a relatively simple layout" would be better in the past tense for consistency. The writer uses complex sentences effectively, indicating a good command of grammatical range. The overall accuracy is strong, with only minor slip-ups that do not significantly impede understanding. Score: 7/9

Overall feedback

The student's response to the task is well-structured and informative, successfully capturing the essential changes in the café layout. The clarity in presenting information about both the existing and proposed layouts is commendable. To improve, focus on summarizing changes in the opening statement for enhanced clarity. Additionally, refining vocabulary choices to incorporate more specific terms related to café settings would strengthen the response further. Next time, try to ensure that all verb tenses consistently match the timeline presented for accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.