Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-29
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 maps illustrate the before and after redesigning of a college cafe. First, how it was previously arranged and what new ideas have been introduces in today's age.
Overall, it is clear that massive changes have been made. The spacious cafeteria which initially consisted of only a number of imperative areas, now, has been fully developed with various new renovations.
In terms of "Cafe before redesign", the are only covered a kitchen along with the serving area. Moreover, there's two dining rooms for the staff members. Apart from this, tables and chairs for the individuals can be seen and bin and toilet facility was also available.
On the other hand, major changes have been made for instance, the "serving area" was diminished and "Hot meals" took its place. Take away food and coffee bar took over the staff dining rooms. Not only this, new categories were also included i.e salad bar (inside) and a separate outdoor "Barbecue" area with arrangements for outdoor seating.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a clear overview of the changes, identifying the main features such as the kitchen, dining areas, and new additions like the salad bar and barbecue. However, the description is somewhat limited in detail. For instance, the mention of 'imperative areas' is vague and does not accurately describe the layout. While the main features are covered, the comparison between the two plans could be more precise; for example, the student mentions the serving area was 'diminished' but does not clearly explain the spatial reconfiguration. The response addresses the task requirements but lacks the depth of analysis expected for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to an overview and then into specific details. There is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'Apart from this' and 'Not only this'. Referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the description of the old layout and the new one could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure helps the reader follow the comparison between the two maps effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but there are instances of imprecise word choice. For example, 'imperative areas' is not the correct term to describe functional rooms in a cafe, and 'today's age' is a slightly awkward collocation in this context. The student attempts to use specific terminology like 'serving area' and 'barbecue area', which is good. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptive language. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise vocabulary related to spatial changes and architectural features.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the are only covered' (should be 'the area only covered') and 'there's two dining rooms' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally functional, though some phrasing is clunky. While the errors are noticeable, they do not significantly impede communication. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but these are often marred by minor inaccuracies. More attention to subject-verb agreement and article usage would help elevate the accuracy of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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