Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The map illustrates the cafes of college before and after of designing.
Overall, the first map shows the before design of cafes and likewise, the second map shows the cafes at present time. The design of cafes is changed but something is as it is. The sitting area has been expanded outside as well.
In the first map, there is a kitchen at the northwest part of the cafes where the serving area is in front. There is a staff dining room in the middle area of the cafes. The dustbin was placed at the left side of the entrance. Just beside the bin the toilet is located.
In the second map, there is coffee bar just straight to the entrance door and right next to the coffee bar there is a take away counter where you receive your packed food. Simultaneously, there are tables and chairs in the middle area where you have your food. After that, there is salad bar in the western part of the cafes then to the right you will see a door which leads to the kitchen where hot meals section is different and in the left side there is a door which takes you to the outside sitting area where you can enjoy the outer environment and there is a barbecue corner right next to the door. You will find recycling bins and toilet as previous locations.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the kitchen, seating, and new additions like the salad bar and barbecue corner. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview. The summary provided is quite generic and does not highlight the most significant changes, such as the shift from a single kitchen to a more segmented service area or the expansion of the seating capacity. To improve, you should focus on synthesizing the information rather than just listing features in each map. The description of the 'before' state is slightly underdeveloped, and the comparison between the two plans could be more explicit to better meet the requirements of an Academic Task 1 response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs focusing on the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In the first map', 'In the second map', 'After that'). The flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, making the progression of ideas feel a bit list-like. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect the spatial descriptions more fluidly, and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the cafes') is consistent and accurate throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher score. You rely on basic descriptors like 'middle area', 'left side', and 'something is as it is'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'before and after of designing' and 'at the northwest part of the cafes'. To improve, incorporate more specific terminology related to floor plans and spatial arrangements, such as 'layout', 'relocated', 'partitioned', or 'transformed'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and adverbs would also help to provide a more sophisticated account of the changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'the cafes of college', 'the before design of cafes', and 'where you have your food'. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'at the left side' instead of 'on the left'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct prepositional usage will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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