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)

There are two designs are shown in given diagram. The Plan before the changes was less in area and after redesign there are some extra portion are added, however, there are some portion which are replaced with some new rooms.

Overall, staff dining rooms are divided in to two parts with some rooms while, out-door sitting and barbecue are added.

Kitchen was at the left top conner of the cafe remains the same location as of today.Service area for all food and drinks was attached with kitchen which is replaced with hot meals.

Moreover, Staff room has been converted in take away food where people can collect their food and other portion converted into caffe bar. Bin was before small in size where just waste was placed but today it can recycle the waste. The centre of the cafe have the same area and look as it was in previous design. Outside of the cafe there are lot five tables are added for people who want to capture nature with there meal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the redesign, such as the addition of the outdoor seating, the barbecue area, and the conversion of the staff room. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the task is addressed, some details are under-developed or unclear, such as the vague reference to 'some extra portion'. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states using precise spatial language and ensure all key changes are highlighted systematically rather than in a list-like fashion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, the transition 'Moreover, Staff room has been converted...' feels abrupt. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, such as the misuse of 'however' in the first paragraph. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes described. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring clear topic sentences would significantly enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There are several instances of unnatural word choice, such as 'extra portion are added' and 'capture nature'. The student relies on basic descriptors and struggles with accurate collocations related to architectural or layout descriptions. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology for describing changes, such as 'expanded', 'relocated', 'transformed', or 'renovated', and avoid repetitive phrasing like 'some portion'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'There are two designs are shown'), article usage (e.g., 'Kitchen was at...'), and sentence structure. The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple or slightly flawed complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and using articles correctly when referring to specific areas of the cafe.

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

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