Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26
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 given diagram show us the two structure of cafe before redesign and today cafe structure.and there are many changes in both cafe because they redesign the cafe and convert to a new cafe.
From Now, we will explain both structure of cafe. In before cafe there is a large hall in the entrance we have one entrance gate for enter to cafe and beside the entrance gate there is one bon for dust. and after that on the south east corner there is one toilet for customer. and two staff dinning rooms for eating and they both are separate but attached with each other. and in the north west corner there is a large kitchen area for cook the meal. and in the kitchen there is also a serving area for the all food and drink to serve the customer or take away the food. and in the epicenter of the cafe there is table and chairs for eating.
However, we will define redesign cafe. the structure of new cafe is totally different. in the entrance of cafe there is a recycling bins instead of bin and the corner of east south there is area for toilets and in the core of the cafe there are tables and chairs and with this they change the staff dinning area to take away and coffee bar area and in the west they constructed salad bar and in the north west corner there is a kitchen and also hot meals area and they also design the outdoor area for seating. and also they constructed a small barbecue area for out door.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe plans, identifying key changes such as the addition of the outdoor area, the salad bar, and the reconfiguration of the kitchen and seating. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, which is essential for a high band score in Task 1. The description is somewhat mechanical, listing features rather than synthesizing the information to highlight the transformation. To improve, you should provide a concise summary paragraph after the introduction that captures the overall shift in the cafe's layout and functionality.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes unnatural, such as starting sentences with 'From Now' or 'However, we will define'. The progression of ideas is linear but lacks sophisticated linking words to connect the 'before' and 'after' states effectively. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences feels disjointed. Improving the variety of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would significantly enhance the logical flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'cafe', 'structure', 'area', and 'one'. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'epicenter of the cafe' and 'for cook the meal', which indicate a lack of precision. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, it lacks the range and flexibility required for higher bands. You should focus on using more descriptive verbs and nouns related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', 'converted', or 'partitioned', to demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly with article usage ('the entrance', 'a large kitchen'), subject-verb agreement ('the given diagram show us'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple or contain errors in word order, such as 'for all food and drink to serve the customer'. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and punctuation is inconsistent, with some sentences starting with lowercase letters. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses when describing past and present states, and proofreading for fundamental errors in articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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