Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27
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 plan below illustrates a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.
Overall, cafe before the redesign looks very basic but after the redesign plan the cafe looks modern and more futuristic.
Initially, before the redesign there was a separate space for the staff staff dinning rooms but after the redesign these rooms are being neglected. All chairs and tables are placed in the big hall before and after the redesign of the cafe but they also added an extra outdoor sitting after the cafe redesign. there is a separate toilet place existed in both before and after of cafe plan. After the cafe redesign they also add a recycle bin space.
Secondly, after the development the serving area with the kitchen is being replaced by the hot meals area. There is an extraordinary upgrade after the redesign they add a space for take away and coffee bar as well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the addition of the coffee bar and the removal of the staff dining rooms. However, the report lacks a clear, analytical approach. The description of the layout is somewhat disjointed and relies on listing features rather than making meaningful comparisons. For instance, stating that the staff rooms are 'being neglected' is an inaccurate interpretation of the visual data, which simply shows they were removed. To improve, focus on grouping features logically (e.g., structural changes vs. functional additions) and ensure the data is described objectively without adding personal commentary or inaccurate interpretations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is weak. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'after the redesign' or 'before and after'. The transition between ideas is often abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'All chairs and tables are placed in the big hall before and after the redesign of the cafe but they also added an extra outdoor sitting'. The paragraphing is present but does not effectively group related information, which hinders the overall progression of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'separate toilet place existed' and 'extraordinary upgrade' are slightly unnatural in this context. There is a limited range of vocabulary used to describe changes, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'add' or 'replace'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'converted', 'expanded', or 'demolished'. Additionally, avoid informal phrasing and focus on using more academic collocations to describe the transformation of the cafe layout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'cafe before the redesign looks' (missing article), 'staff staff dinning rooms' (repetition and spelling error), and 'there is a separate toilet place existed' (incorrect verb tense/structure). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper structure. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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