Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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 give two maps illustrates before and after look of a college cafe , which was redesigned for a better look.

Overall, There has been a significant changes in the cafe which are outdoor seating areas, salad bar and many more, but some has not been changed which is kitchen and toilet.

In north-west section of the cafe kitchen has been untouched and serving areas is now been for hot meals. Going down, a salad bar has been set up for the people. A barbecue and new seating area has also been installed outside the cafe, in the south

In the middle of the restaurant, Staff dining rooms have been converted into a coffee bar area and a take away food area. However, area for Tables and chairs has not been changed or has not been replaced. A recycling bins has been installed in south

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the cafe redesign, the overview is somewhat simplistic. You successfully highlight the key changes, such as the addition of the salad bar and outdoor seating, and note the areas that remained unchanged. However, the description lacks sufficient detail and comparative analysis to fully develop the response. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the spatial changes and ensure the response meets the length requirement to avoid a penalty.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, phrases like 'Going down' are not ideal for describing a map; 'In the southern section' would be more appropriate. The progression of ideas is generally logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, and ensure that your referencing (e.g., 'some has not been changed') is clear and grammatically accurate.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision expected at higher bands. You use basic terms like 'better look' and 'many more', which are imprecise. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'The give two maps illustrates' (should be 'The two maps illustrate') and 'a recycling bins' (should be 'recycling bins'). To reach a higher band, focus on using more academic vocabulary related to describing changes, such as 'transformed', 'relocated', or 'expanded', and pay closer attention to singular/plural agreement.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The give two maps illustrates', 'a recycling bins has been installed') and tense inconsistencies ('serving areas is now been for hot meals'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing articles and awkward phrasing. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensure that your verb tenses are used consistently when describing past and present states in the diagrams.

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

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