Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The map compares the layout of a cafe in a college before it was redesigned and after renovation.

Overall, the barbeque outdoor seating has been included in the layout at the bottom of the map. While staff dining rooms were converted into a coffee bar and takeaway service.

In the past before redesigning, the cafe had a large rectangular kitchen located at the upper left corner of the layout. Meanwhile, the staff dining rooms were connected to the right side of the kitchen. Toilet facilities and bins were on the left side of the entrance. Additionally, the table and chair seating was arranged at the center of the cafe.

Presently, the major change in the plan is the outdoor seating for the barbeque service. Whereas recycling bins and toilets are at the same location. While staff dining is replaced by food takeaway and coffee bar. Kitchen remained the same with a minor change in service area to hot meals. Central seating is constant with addition of salad bar.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign well. You successfully identified the key changes, such as the addition of the outdoor seating and the conversion of the staff dining area. However, the overview is slightly weak; while you mention the barbeque area, it would be better to include a broader summary of the transformation, such as the shift towards a more customer-focused layout. The description of the kitchen and seating area is accurate, but ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states more explicitly to highlight the extent of the changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the 'before' state and then the 'after' state. You use some cohesive devices like 'Meanwhile', 'Additionally', and 'Whereas'. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. For example, starting sentences with 'While' or 'Whereas' when they are not actually contrasting two clauses can lead to fragmented sentences. Improving the flow between sentences by using a wider variety of linking phrases would enhance the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'redesigned', 'renovation', 'layout', and 'facilities'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'barbeque outdoor seating', which could be phrased more naturally as 'an outdoor barbecue area'. You also use 'constant' to describe the seating, which is slightly awkward in this context. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to describing maps and plans, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', or 'remained unchanged'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, particularly with sentence fragments. For instance, 'While staff dining rooms were converted into a coffee bar and takeaway service' is a dependent clause that lacks a main clause. Similarly, 'While staff dining is replaced by food takeaway and coffee bar' is also a fragment. You should ensure that every sentence has a clear subject and a finite verb. Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the report.

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

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