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)
According to design of cafe before renewing. Entrance was from the right side of cafe and just after entering you will see a bin on left side and the toilets 4 steps ahead of it. In the hall area there are chairs and tables for eating something and on the right side there are 2 separate dining rooms for staff and after that on the right side you will see the kitchen and serving area for students and staff.
After redesigning of cafe Entrance is same as before. Just after entering on the right side there are dust bins and toilets just 2 steps ahead. With the front side of the toilet there is a door which take us to outdoor seating. On the bottom side of the cafe you will see the barbecue area which is infront of outdoor seating, Again the door for entering dining area and on your left side you will see the salad bar. And now, the staff dining room area replaced by 2 separate rooms (Take away food) , (Coffe bar) and in the last the kitchen & hotmeal/Serving counter comes which is on the bottom right side of the cafe.
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 plans, but it lacks an overview, which is a requirement for a high band score in Task 1. The description is largely a list of locations rather than a synthesis of the changes. While you identify the entrance and the kitchen, you fail to highlight the most significant transformations, such as the expansion of seating or the conversion of the staff dining area into specialized food counters. To improve, you must provide a clear summary paragraph that outlines the overall trends or major shifts between the two plans before detailing specific features.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into two paragraphs, which helps separate the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the progression within the paragraphs is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, relying heavily on directional phrases like 'on the right side' or 'on the bottom side'. There is a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices to link ideas or contrast the two plans effectively. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'after that on the right side', which makes it difficult for the reader to visualize the layout accurately. Using more varied transition words would improve the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You use repetitive phrasing such as 'on the right side' and 'on the bottom side' multiple times. There is little attempt to use precise spatial vocabulary or descriptive terms related to architectural changes (e.g., 'relocated', 'transformed', 'partitioned'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety in word choice limits the score. Incorporating more specific terminology related to floor plans and layout changes would demonstrate a stronger command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The grammar contains several errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. There are issues with article usage ('According to design of cafe'), missing prepositions, and awkward sentence structures ('With the front side of the toilet there is a door'). Many sentences are simple or run-on, lacking the variety of complex structures expected at higher bands. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of parentheses and commas. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly 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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