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 diagram shows a college canteen map before and after redesigning.

overall, the café structure has been improved by adding different sections for different types of foods and drinks . The seating space has also been increased by adding extra chairs and tables outside café.

Before redesigning, the Café is looking very traditional and orthodox. There is a kitchen where food is being cooked and an appendage area to the kitchen where every kind of food, whether drinks or meals, is being served to the customers. Connected to the kitchen, there is a large hall, which has been divide into inside seating space, two small rooms for staff dining, toilet and a bin.

The café is looking more spacious and organized after revamping. Staff dining rooms have been converted into take away and coffee bar sections. Different counters have been allocated for different types of foods such as hot meals, salad bar, barbecue and a coffee bar. Outside seating has also been introduced. It has become more tidy and comfortable for both workers and customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the changes, identifying the main features such as the addition of new sections and the expansion of seating. However, the description of the 'before' state is slightly inaccurate; for instance, the text mentions a 'bin' and 'staff dining' rooms, which are specific details, but the overall summary lacks a precise comparison of the spatial layout changes. The report covers the main features, but it could be improved by more explicitly contrasting the size or location of the kitchen and seating areas. The information is generally accurate, but the analysis could be more detailed to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the general layout to specific changes. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Before redesigning' and 'after revamping', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more sophisticated. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the 'before' and 'after' states, which helps the reader follow the comparison effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at using topic-specific language like 'redesigning', 'revamping', and 'allocated'. However, there are some word choice issues, such as 'appendage area' (which is not the correct term for a serving counter) and 'traditional and orthodox' (which is slightly unnatural when describing a floor plan). The range is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'The seating space has also been increased by adding extra chairs and tables outside café' (missing an article) and 'which has been divide' (incorrect verb form). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The control of punctuation is generally good, but the overall grammatical accuracy is inconsistent.

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

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