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 maps illustrate the layout of a college cafe before and after modification.
overall,the cafe has seen significant changes with the introduction of several features.The cafe has become more busy with a shift from calm to rustle bustle.
we can see that the places which remain the same even after modification are the kitchen and toilets.The serving area,just infront of the kitchen,has been converted to hot meals.The rooms for staff dining,in the north-east side of cafe, have been transformed to two units:one is take away food and other is coffee bar.The bin,that faces the toilets(in the east of cafe),made a way of recycling bin.While,west side of cafe has been reduced a little to include salad bar.
As the map shows,middle area of cafe is still decorated with tables and chairs.A barbecue has been added to the west corner of cafe.one noticeable and final modification is the introduction of wide outdoor seating facilitated by a lot of chairs and tables so that more people can sit and enjoy their meal comfortably.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, identifying key changes such as the new serving areas, the addition of a barbecue, and the expansion of seating. However, the overview is somewhat weak; describing the cafe as having a 'shift from calm to rustle bustle' is subjective and not supported by the visual data provided. To improve, focus on objective trends, such as the increase in service variety and the expansion of capacity. While the main features are identified, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more precise, particularly regarding the spatial layout changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the general layout to specific modifications. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'While, west side of cafe has been reduced a little'. Additionally, there are issues with punctuation and spacing, such as missing spaces after commas (e.g., 'overall,the', 'dining,in'). Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words and ensuring standard formatting would significantly enhance the flow of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the changes described. However, there are some imprecise word choices and minor errors, such as 'rustle bustle' (which should be 'hustle and bustle') and 'made a way of recycling bin'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'partitioned', or 'reconfigured', rather than relying on general verbs like 'transformed' or 'changed'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles (e.g., 'in the north-east side of cafe', 'in the east of cafe') and preposition usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several instances of missing spaces after commas and periods. While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main points, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency. Focusing on article usage and consistent punctuation will help 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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