Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25
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 given diagram displays a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.
Overall, in today cafe outdoor seating area are added and also barbecue setup. Staff dining rooms are redesign in to take away food and coffee bar.
First we start with the things hat are same in old cafe and today cafe. Kitchen, recycle bins, toilets and in door seating are same. The serving area where all foods and drinks was served have some changes now only hot meals are served in this area. Salad bar are added in today cafe. Staff dinning rooms are also changed in to take away food and coffee bar. There are also some additional area are added in today cafe in which barbecue setup are arranged. There are also added some outdoor seating area in today cafe for the people who like to sit in open area to get fresh air.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the addition of the barbecue area, the salad bar, and the conversion of the staff dining room. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical overview. The description is somewhat repetitive and relies on a list-like approach rather than synthesizing the changes effectively. While the main features are identified, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more sophisticated. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant transformations rather than just listing individual changes, and use more precise language to describe the spatial shifts.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical (e.g., 'First we start with...'). There is a lack of variety in linking words, and the transition between sentences feels disjointed. Paragraphing is present but does not effectively separate the overview from the detailed body content. To improve, use a wider range of cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'in contrast' to connect ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'things that are same' and 'are added' are used frequently, which limits the range. There are also errors in word formation and collocation, such as 'staff dinning rooms' (dining) and 'in door seating' (indoor). The response lacks the specific, descriptive vocabulary required for describing diagrams, such as 'relocated,' 'transformed,' 'expanded,' or 'partitioned.' To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise verbs and nouns related to architectural changes and spatial layout, and pay closer attention to spelling and standard collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'outdoor seating area are added,' 'barbecue setup are arranged') and article usage. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. There are also issues with tense consistency and pluralization. For example, 'Staff dining rooms are redesign in to take away' should be 'The staff dining room was redesigned into a takeaway area.' To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and expanding your repertoire to include more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice constructions, while ensuring they are used accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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