Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

The plans illustrates the change in design of a college cafe, comparing its design before and after the renovation.

Overall, only the area of kitchen, toilets and table & chairs are same before and after the renovation. Salad bar, barbecue, outdoor searing, take away food option and coffee bar have been introduced after the renovation.

Before the redesign tables and chairs were majorly coving most of the area. The upper left area covered the kitchen with a service area of all food and drinks option. The bottom right area was for toilets and the upper right area was given to the staff dining rooms and above toilets a small area was given to bin to throw the waste.

After the redesign of the cafe, the top left area is covering kitchen with hot meals. The two staff dining rooms are now a take away food section and a coffee bar. Tables and chairs are still covering the majority of the area but a salad bar has been introduced in the section. For outside a new barbecue area with outside seating have been added. Toilets are on the bottom right area and new recycling bins are added as well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe renovation, including the introduction of new facilities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. You provided a clear overview and compared the 'before' and 'after' states effectively. However, the response could be improved by using more precise spatial language. For instance, instead of saying 'the top left area is covering kitchen', you could describe the layout more accurately. Additionally, ensure that all comparisons are explicit; while you mentioned the kitchen and toilets remained, you could have highlighted the relocation of the service area more clearly to fully satisfy the requirements for a Band 7+ response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the changes. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. Phrases like 'Before the redesign' and 'After the redesign' are used effectively, but the transition between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, though some sentences feel slightly disjointed. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph flows naturally into the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'introduced', and 'section'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'majorly coving' is not standard English; 'predominantly occupied' would be more appropriate. Similarly, 'service area of all food and drinks option' is slightly awkward. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and academic vocabulary. While your vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. For example, 'The plans illustrates' should be 'The plans illustrate' (subject-verb agreement). There are also issues with articles and prepositions, such as 'area of kitchen' (should be 'the kitchen') and 'above toilets a small area was given to bin' (should be 'bins'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles.

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

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