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 plans illustrates a college cafe before and after redesigning.
Overall, There are significant changes made such as salad bar, Outdoor seating after the reconstruction.
Earlier, The cafe consists of one entry seperate entrence and exit, Toilets on the South East corner. Just opposite to the bins there is large propotion occupied for Tables and chairs as waiting hall , There are two rooms for staff dining, moreover, On the North West we see a kitchen and serving area for all food and drinks.
Today, The serving area serves only Hot meals, salad bar is situated exactly opposite to the kitchen entrence. Further, Recycling bins space is expanded a bit, Outdoor seating has been introduced with 4 memebers seating and also family seating, we can also find barbecue on the south left corner . Lastly, staff dining rooms are updated as Take away food and coffee bar, the kitchen remained as it was earlier.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the addition of the salad bar, outdoor seating, and the repurposing of staff rooms. However, the overview is somewhat weak as it lacks a clear summary of the most significant structural changes. While the response identifies key additions, it misses some comparative detail, such as the removal of the separate entrance/exit system or the specific relocation of the toilets. The description of the 'south left corner' is slightly imprecise, and the report could benefit from a more analytical approach to the spatial changes rather than just listing features. Overall, it addresses the task requirements but lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to a description of the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as 'Just opposite to the bins there is large propotion occupied for Tables'. The transition between ideas is sometimes abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear. While the paragraphing is functional, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider range of linking words to connect the spatial descriptions more fluidly. The overall structure is coherent, but the internal cohesion needs more refinement.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the changes described. There are some spelling errors, such as 'seperate', 'entrence', 'propotion', and 'memebers', which indicate a lack of precision. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors like 'updated' or 'remained'. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to spatial changes, such as 'converted into', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'demolished'. While the current range is sufficient to convey the main points, the frequent spelling errors and lack of sophisticated lexical choices limit the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include 'The plans illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), 'The cafe consists of' (tense inconsistency, as it should be past tense), and 'salad bar is situated' (missing article). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary capitalization after commas and missing commas in lists. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to suggest a lack of control over complex structures. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage would significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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