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 map illustrates the different layouts of café before redesign phase and today.

Overall, The outdoor seating arrangement is the significant change proposed in the recent plan. Also, some new sections has been introduced such as barbecue, Coffee bar, salad bar.

In the center space of college, there were two staff dining rooms which are now changed with take away food corner and coffee bar. Tables and chairs section remains on the same place. whereas, a new salad bar established on the east corner which was an empty space in the old layout. Also, on the western side available Bin is now become more wider and instead of one bin, now multiple bins available. the Toilets are beside the Recycling bins. furthermore, outdoor area is being accessed by two gates. On the very left corner there is barbecue section is setup for the same events and gathering. Neverthless, the servin

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main features of the redesign, such as the addition of the barbecue, coffee bar, and salad bar. However, the report is incomplete as it ends abruptly mid-sentence ('the servin'), which prevents a full summary of the information. While the overview captures the most significant changes, the lack of a complete conclusion and the incomplete final sentence mean that some parts of the task are not fully addressed. To improve, ensure that all key features are described clearly and that the response is finished in a complete, coherent manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay uses basic paragraphing, but the flow is hindered by the incomplete ending. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall', 'Also', and 'whereas', but some are used mechanically or with grammatical errors (e.g., 'Neverthless'). The progression of ideas is generally logical, moving from the center to the east and west sides, but the sudden termination of the text disrupts the overall coherence. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words more naturally and ensure that the structure remains consistent from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'layout', 'redesign', and 'arrangement'. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'changed with' instead of 'replaced by', and 'available Bin is now become more wider'. These errors occasionally impede the clarity of the description. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and adjectives related to spatial changes will also help elevate your score.

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. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('some new sections has been introduced'), incorrect article usage ('the center space of college'), and awkward sentence construction ('now become more wider'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas and incorrect capitalization. These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, and proofread your work to ensure sentence structures are complete and grammatically sound.

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

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