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 illustrates the transformation of university cafe from past to present layout.
Overall, the changes in the today's cafe are very significant. A lot of new facilities are incorporated like salad bar, Barbecue, coffee bar, outdoor seating, and food takeaway. Although, toilets, kitchen, and tables or chairs at the center of cafe remains unchanged.
Starting from the right entrance, on the left a recycling bins are incorporated which in before was a bin only. By walking straight, on the right there is a coffee bar and next to it food takeaway, before re design this space was dedicated to dining rooms for staff. At the center of cafe, multiple chairs and tables were placed for customers who can enjoy meal and food. Walking straight to the end, we have newly added salad bar. Turning right from salad bar is a huge kitchen. Although, there is no changing in kitchen layout, but the change is replacing food and drink serving area with hot meals.
Furthermore, after entering in cafe at the left side there are two doors which makes way to newly added barbeque and outdoor seating.
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 redesign, including the addition of new facilities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. You successfully identify what has changed and what has remained the same. However, the description of the layout is sometimes difficult to follow, and the spatial relationships are not always clearly articulated. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview provides a more comprehensive summary of the most significant changes, and use more precise directional language to guide the reader through the plan. The inclusion of specific details like the 'recycling bins' is good, but ensure these are balanced with the broader structural changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly inaccurate, such as the use of 'Although' at the start of sentences where it does not fit grammatically (e.g., 'Although, toilets, kitchen...'). Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to visualize the exact location of features. Improving the transition between sentences and using a wider variety of linking words would enhance the flow. The progression of ideas is generally logical, moving from the entrance through the central area to the back, which is a good approach for describing plans.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transformation', 'incorporated', and 'layout'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'in before' instead of 'previously' or 'before the redesign'. Additionally, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'no changing in kitchen layout'. To improve, focus on using more precise vocabulary for describing spatial changes and ensure that collocations are accurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the' cafe, 'a' salad bar) and prepositions ('at the center of cafe'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'on the left a recycling bins are incorporated which in before was a bin only'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to affect the overall fluency. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles when describing specific locations on a map.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.