Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The map illustrates the design of the college's cafeteria before the redesign and how it looks today.

Before the redesign, the cafe consisted of a kitchen in the north for cooking, and little space in the front of the kitchen for serving food. There were also two rooms for the staff's dining, which faced a huge hall with tables and chairs for students, where they enjoyed their food. At the south-east corner, there were toilets, and a bin was also placed near the toilets.

After being redesigned, a few changes had been made in the cafe. In the kitchen, the area that was used for serving food was replaced with hot meals. The two rooms that was used for staff were replaced with a takeaway food room and coffee bar. Recycling bins were added at the bin space. Toilets and the big hall remained unchanged. On the left side of the hall, a sealed bar was constructed. Outside of the cafe, a large space is being reserved for sitting and enjoying food; tables and chairs were added. On the left side of this sitting area, a barbecue area was also made.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe redesign, including the structural changes and the addition of new facilities. You provided a clear overview and made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a more analytical overview that synthesizes the changes rather than just listing them. For example, noting that the cafe shifted from a purely functional dining space to a more versatile area with takeaway and outdoor options would strengthen your response. Overall, you covered all parts of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial state to the redesigned state. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two time periods. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Before the redesign' and 'After being redesigned', which help guide the reader. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and referencing devices to connect sentences more fluidly. Some transitions feel slightly mechanical, but the overall structure is clear and easy to follow throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'redesign', 'consisted of', 'replaced', and 'constructed'. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. There is some repetition of basic verbs. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to spatial descriptions, such as 'situated in the northern section' or 'underwent a transformation'. Your word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'The two rooms that was used' (should be 'were used') and 'a few changes had been made' (the past perfect is unnecessary here; simple past or present perfect would be more appropriate). Despite these errors, they do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent tense usage when describing the changes.

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

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