Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given two maps compare the design of a college cafe before and after renovation.

Overall, the building has undergone significant redevelopment. The Staff dining area has been removed and outdoor space is allocated to seating and barbecue.

Prior to redevelopment, the south-east corner of the central area was devoted to toilets with a bin in front of it. The middle portion contained tables and chairs and two rooms were designated for staff dining. The kitchen area was on the north- west side with a serving area in front of that where people can buy food and drinks.

After Redesign, toilets were in the same area but bin was converted into a recycling bin. Moreover, the two staff dining rooms were replaced by a food take away outlet and a coffee shop. A salad bar was also opened in the left side of main central hall. The former serving area has been removed and is changed into Hot meals corner. A notable development has been seen outside the main area where a barbeque point and public seating are added.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted the key changes, such as the removal of the staff dining area and the addition of outdoor seating. The information is accurate and covers all parts of the task. To reach a higher band, ensure that you provide more precise comparisons between the two plans. For example, instead of just stating the kitchen was on the north-west side, you could explicitly contrast its position with the new layout. Overall, the response is well-structured and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a summary. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Prior to', 'After Redesign', and 'Moreover' helps the reader follow the progression of changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the 'before' and 'after' states. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the linking phrases and ensure that the connection between sentences is more fluid. The referencing is generally clear, and the information flows logically from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'redevelopment', 'allocated', 'designated', and 'converted'. These words are appropriate for the context of describing a floor plan. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to architectural changes, such as 'transformed', 'reconfigured', or 'integrated'. The current range is adequate but could be more varied to demonstrate greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'bin was converted' (should be 'the bin') and 'in the left side' (should be 'on the left side'). Additionally, 'food take away outlet' should be hyphenated as 'take-away'. Despite these minor errors, the grammar does not impede communication. To improve, focus on article usage and prepositional accuracy. Incorporating a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, would further enhance your score.

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

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