Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The picture diagram represents a college cafe's look before and after its reconstruction.

Some outdoor seating arrangements have been introduced in the new design, whereas staff dining rooms have completely altered. A new salad bar and a barbecue area are also new additions. No significant change in bin area and serving area.

The total catchment of the cafe has been increased in the new design due to the addition of five outdoor seating arrangements. In the old design, there were more rooms for tables and chairs insid ethe cafe as there was no salad bar. Staff dining rooms have been replaced by take away food corner and a coffee bar. In the south-east corner, a new barbecue space has been created in the latest cafe design. The area which used to be for all sorts of food and drinks has been allocated for hot meals only. The bin area used to be small, but it has been enlarged to accommodate a recycling bin as well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the addition of outdoor seating, the salad bar, and the barbecue area. You have successfully identified the key changes and made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the overview is somewhat fragmented. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview is a distinct paragraph that synthesizes the most significant trends (e.g., the shift from staff-focused rooms to customer-focused amenities) rather than listing individual changes. The report is accurate, but could benefit from a more cohesive summary of the overall transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the introduction to the specific details. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the general overview from the detailed analysis. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. Phrases like 'In the old design' and 'In the new design' are repeated frequently, which makes the flow feel slightly repetitive. Using a wider variety of linking words or referencing techniques (e.g., 'the former layout', 'the subsequent renovation') would improve the flow and help the text move more smoothly between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reconstruction', 'catchment', and 'allocated' effectively. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'picture diagram' (which is redundant) and 'rooms for tables' (which is slightly unnatural). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations related to spatial descriptions and design changes, such as 'reconfigured', 'expanded', or 'integrated'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, though there are occasional errors, such as 'insid ethe' (a typo) and 'No significant change in bin area' (which lacks an article). The grammar is generally accurate enough that communication is never impeded. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a greater variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions to describe the changes (e.g., 'The bin area was enlarged to accommodate...') and ensure consistent control over articles and prepositions.

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

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