Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28
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 two diagrams give below show the comparison of a college cafe about how it looked before renovating and how looks now.
The diagrams compare the layout of a cafe at two different points in times. Likely, before there was less area in now use but now more space is being used. And introduction of some new facilities as well whereas, some places are as it is as they were before.
Firstly, in kitchen there was a segment called serving area where all foods and drinks were served but now it has been replaced with hot meals. Additionally, the part next to kitchen had a replacement as well as there were two rooms for staff dining, but it is now being used as a takeaway food service and one room for coffee bar. Moreover, the bin near toilets was too small so, its area was expanded as well.
On the other hand, salad bar is one of the specific portions which is newly added. And outside of the building outdoor seating has been arranged as well with a new barbecue setup near it so customers can watch live preparation of food.
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, such as the kitchen changes, the new salad bar, and the outdoor seating. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes, such as the overall expansion of the seating area. The description of the kitchen and staff dining area is somewhat confusing, as the distinction between the 'before' and 'after' states is not always clearly articulated. To improve, ensure you provide a more concise and analytical overview in the introduction or conclusion that highlights the primary transformation of the space rather than just listing individual changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'Likely, before there was less area in now use'. The transition between the description of the kitchen and the outdoor area is abrupt. While there is a logical progression from the interior to the exterior, the referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to track exactly which part of the cafe is being discussed. Improving the variety and precision of linking words would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'some places are as it is as they were before' are repetitive and imprecise. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'part next to kitchen had a replacement'. To reach a higher band, you should use more specific terminology related to spatial changes, such as 'reconfigured', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed'. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it does not demonstrate a sophisticated level of control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'The two diagrams give below' (should be 'given'), 'before there was less area in now use' (awkward phrasing), and 'the part next to kitchen had a replacement'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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