Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-21
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 diagram below illustrates a college Cafe before it was redesigned and its look now.
In first diagrams, it indicates the less arrangements when compared to the second diagram. Firstly there is a kitchen. And follows to that it ends to the serving area. From there people get their needful foods and drinks. After that there is a huge area arranged for tables and chairs. It's north side is preserved for staff dining rooms. East side is located for placing a small bin, there excess waste can be eliminated. There is a toilet next to that also for basic needs.
In second diagrams, after the redesign there can see a difference in the cafe totally. First of all, its total area got increased by placing outdoor seating. And coming next to that there is a barbecue. The kitchen is same as the first diagram. Similarly the tables, chairs, and toilet are in the same place without any change in location. The serving area replaced by hot meals. Staff dining rooms are also seperated with take away food one side and next to that a coffee bar. Bin is changed by adding a recycle method. In additionally there is salad bar on the west side of the tables and chairs.
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, such as the addition of outdoor seating and the barbecue. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant changes. While you identify specific areas, the analysis is limited by a lack of comparative language. For instance, stating 'The kitchen is same as the first diagram' is accurate, but the report would benefit from more sophisticated synthesis of the information. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory overview that highlights the primary transformation of the space rather than just listing features sequentially.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive or unnatural, such as 'And follows to that' and 'In additionally'. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, making the transition between the 'before' and 'after' states feel mechanical rather than fluid. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect sentences and ideas more naturally, and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'that', 'there') is precise and clear.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher score. You rely on basic descriptors like 'huge area' or 'basic needs', and there are some awkward collocations, such as 'excess waste can be eliminated' and 'recycle method'. The use of 'needful foods' is also non-standard. To improve, try to incorporate more specific terminology related to floor plans and spatial descriptions, such as 'layout', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'integrated'. Focusing on accurate word choice will significantly enhance the professional tone of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There is a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. Frequent errors in articles ('In first diagrams'), prepositions, and verb forms ('there can see a difference') occasionally impede the flow. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and sentence construction, such as 'The serving area replaced by hot meals' (missing 'was'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these grammatical slips prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that passive voice constructions are formed correctly.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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