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 given map illustrates a college cafe before renovation and how it looks currently.
Overall, there were some new sections were added after redesigning such as an outdoor sitting facility and salad bar inside. Moreover, some zones were transformed into new ones like the serving area for all food and drinks into new hot meals area.
A major change is that the serving area was demolished and transformed into hot meals corner whereas, the the kitchen remained at its place. The rooms that were previously designed for staff dining purpose was redeveloped into two separate areas which is currently recognized as coffee bar and take away food counter.
A new substantial outdoor seating area was introduced just outside the cafe which enhance its area. Furthermore toilets still at their places where they were preiviously construct
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main features of the renovation, such as the new outdoor seating and the reconfiguration of the serving area, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The description lacks sufficient detail regarding the spatial layout changes, and the conclusion is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview of all changes and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for a full development of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'A major change', and 'Furthermore' to link your points. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'the the kitchen' and the incomplete final sentence. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure feels a bit mechanical. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that your sentences are complete and logically connected throughout the entire response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'renovation', 'demolished', 'redeveloped', and 'substantial'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'outdoor sitting facility' (should be 'seating area') and 'previously construct' (should be 'previously constructed'). There are also minor spelling errors. To improve, try to use more precise collocations and ensure that your word forms are accurate. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and verbs related to spatial changes will also help elevate your lexical score.
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 impede clarity. Examples include 'there were some new sections were added' (incorrect passive construction), 'the the kitchen' (repetition), and 'toilets still at their places' (missing verb). The final sentence is incomplete, which is a significant grammatical issue. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage. Proofreading for basic errors like missing articles and incomplete sentences is essential to ensure your meaning is conveyed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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