Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-24

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 PRESENRED MAP ILLUSTRATES CHANGES IN THE COLLEGE CAFE AREA. THERE ARE SOME MAJOR CHANGES OCCURE BEFORE AND NOW.

OVERALL, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THERE ARE FIVE MAJOR CHANGES NOTED IN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAFE AND DEVELOPED NEW AMINITIES TOO.

TO BEGIN WITH, THERE IS ONE SERVING AREA IN THE CAFE THEY SERVE ALL TYPE OF FOOD AND DEINK IN IT. NOW IT IS CONVERTED INTO THE HOT MEALS. MOREOVER, INSIDE THE CAFE THERE WERE TWO STAFF DINING ROOMS. WHICH IS SEPRATED INTO TWO PARTS. FIRST ONE IS TAKE AWAY FOOD AND SECOND ONE IS COFFEE BAR. FUTUREMORE, IN THE EAST SIDE OF THE CAFE BESIDE THE ENTRANCE , THERE WAS A BIN. IT IS NOW CONVERTED INTO THE RECYCLING BINS AREA. THEY ARE NOW COLLECTED RECYCLE GARBAGE IN THIS ROOM.

IN ADDITION, IN THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CAFE THEY INTRODUCE NEW AMINITIES LIKE BARBECUE AREA AND ONE ENTRANCE. THEN OPPOSIT SIDE OF THE BARBEQUE THERE ARE MANY CHAIRS AND TABLES ARE LOCATED. HOWEVER, IN THE INSIDE OF THE CAFE THERE IS ONE SALAD BAR AREA IN THE WEST SIDE.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main changes in the cafe layout, such as the conversion of the serving area, the addition of the salad bar, and the new outdoor amenities. However, the response lacks a clear, analytical overview of the transformation. While you mention 'five major changes,' the description of these changes is somewhat disjointed. To improve, ensure you group information logically—for example, by contrasting the interior changes with the exterior additions—rather than listing them sequentially. Additionally, ensure that all labels from the diagram are accurately reflected, as some descriptions, such as the 'staff dining rooms' being converted into a 'take away' and 'coffee bar,' could be more precisely described based on the visual evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression between sentences is often weak. You use some cohesive devices like 'To begin with' and 'In addition,' but they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately. For instance, the transition 'Futuremore' (a misspelling of 'Furthermore') and the abrupt shift between describing the interior and exterior features hinder the flow. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'Which is seprated into two parts,' which is a sentence fragment. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are frequent spelling errors (e.g., 'presenred,' 'occure,' 'aminities,' 'seprated,' 'deink') and some awkward word choices. You rely on basic vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'converted' and 'located.' To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise terminology related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated,' 'transformed,' 'expanded,' or 'replaced.' Additionally, ensure that you proofread your work to eliminate basic spelling mistakes, as these errors can distract the reader and suggest a lack of attention to detail.

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. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'There are some major changes occure'), incorrect verb tenses, and punctuation errors. For example, 'Which is seprated into two parts' is a dependent clause used as a full sentence. Furthermore, the use of articles and prepositions is inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that your verbs agree with their subjects. Practising the correct use of relative clauses and passive voice, which is essential for describing processes or changes, would also be beneficial.

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

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