Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-23

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 5.0)

The plans illustrate the difference between the main features of college cafe.

The first pic show that the time when was college caffe is under construction there was no amenties are available there. There was a huge ground with one toilet , bin , serving area and also a kitchen was rebuilt. In addition only chairs and tables were there and also two serving rooms.

Now if we look cafe there construction is completed and now outdoor setting are available. Morever barbecue shops,salad bar,take away food,cafe bar and also a good kitchen are in the cafe. In the middle of the restaurant a good setup of tables and chairs as well. Today in that area hot meal also served.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have attempted to describe the main features of the cafe before and after the redesign, the report is underdeveloped. You have listed some features but failed to provide a clear overview or make meaningful comparisons between the two layouts. The description of the 'before' state is inaccurate, as you describe it as having 'no amenities' while simultaneously listing a kitchen, toilet, and serving area. To improve, ensure you provide a clear summary of the most significant changes and reach the required length by elaborating on the spatial layout and specific additions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is very limited, relying on basic transitions like 'In addition' and 'Moreover'. Some sentences are disjointed, making the flow of information feel mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'in contrast', 'whereas') to connect your ideas more fluidly. Additionally, ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus; currently, the transition between the 'before' and 'after' descriptions lacks a strong comparative structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. You use simple terms like 'pic', 'good', and 'things' which are not appropriate for an academic report. There are also issues with word choice, such as referring to the plan as a 'pic' and using 'caffe' instead of 'cafe'. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial descriptions, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'transformed', or 'adjacent'. Avoid informal language and focus on using subject-specific terminology to describe the layout changes accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with articles ('no amenties', 'the time when was college caffe'), subject-verb agreement ('The first pic show'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or awkwardly phrased, such as 'Now if we look cafe there construction is completed'. These errors occasionally impede the reader's understanding. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of articles, prepositions, and verb tenses. Practicing the difference between simple and complex sentence structures will also help improve your range and accuracy.

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

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