Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The plans illustrate a college cafe before and today after redesign.
Overall the cafe has been renovated with many additions in it like coffee bar, hot meals counter, recycle bins, salad bar and barbecue. Some of the designated area of cafe remained unchanged while the menu and their allocation has been expanded.
The cafe has a kitchen in the upward north. Besides kitchen there was a serving area for all meals and drinks which now has been designated with only hot meals serving counter. To the northwest, there were two a staff dining rooms which now has been allocated for different setups. One for take away food and the second one is now a coffee bar, a newest addition to the cafe.
There is a big hall with tables and chairs which now has a salad bar installed. The casual bins are now replaced with recycling bin to minimize the waste pollution. The toilets besides bins remained unchanged.
Outside the main hall, to the southwest, the cafe has installed barbecue setup with outdoor seating. The cafe has transformed alot and became a attractive place for visitors.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main features of the redesign well, identifying key changes such as the addition of the salad bar, coffee bar, and barbecue area. You have successfully highlighted the transformation of the kitchen and dining areas. However, the report could be improved by providing more precise comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states. For instance, while you mention the kitchen area, you could explicitly contrast the size or layout changes more clearly. The overview is present but could be more analytical by grouping the changes into themes (e.g., service areas vs. seating areas) to better demonstrate a clear summary of the overall transformation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs focusing on specific areas, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the kitchen to the dining hall and then to the outdoor area. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the transition between sentences could be smoother; phrases like 'To the northwest' and 'Outside the main hall' are helpful, but the connection between the recycling bins and the toilets feels slightly abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'renovated', 'allocated', 'designated', and 'transformed'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'upward north' (which is not standard geographical terminology) and 'waste pollution' (which is slightly unnatural; 'waste' or 'environmental impact' would be better). Additionally, 'a newest addition' is grammatically awkward. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for a higher band score. Focusing on more natural collocations will help improve your lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'before and today after redesign' (missing articles and awkward phrasing), 'two a staff dining rooms' (incorrect article usage), and 'the cafe has transformed alot' (spelling error: 'a lot'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic articles and ensuring consistent verb tense usage when describing past versus present states.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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