Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The diagram provides the overlook of college cafe before it was redesigned and when it designed how it looks now.
The place of kitchen remains same as before redesigned at the top of graph. But serving area changed its name into hot meals that sales all foods and drinks to college. While staff dining room splits into two different corridors, to take away food and coffee bar in the area of tables and chairs. The toilet place is also at the same page and has one door to enter into.
Some arrangements are new such as, outdoor seating and that has such a big area of tables and seating chairs. At the left of that it has barbecue and in the inner area has salad bar which were not appeared before designed planning. The bin section had placed far away from toilet and the name of that converts to recycling bin in recent look.
To summarised, recent planning structure is more attractive than before and has more needed sections.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, such as the addition of the outdoor seating, barbecue, and salad bar. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes. While the student identifies specific areas, the reporting is occasionally inaccurate (e.g., stating the kitchen remains at the 'top of the graph' without clarifying the layout change). The summary is brief and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. To improve, ensure you provide a clear, cohesive summary of the overall transformation in the introduction and group related features more logically.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression of ideas is often hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are frequently missing or mechanical, such as the abrupt shift in the second paragraph. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes described. To improve, use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as one for internal changes and one for external additions.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive or imprecise. Phrases like 'the place of kitchen' and 'the name of that converts' are unnatural and indicate a lack of control over collocations. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'overlook' instead of 'overview' and 'sales' instead of 'sells'. While the student attempts to describe specific areas, the lack of precise terminology for architectural or layout features restricts the score. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary related to maps and diagrams, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'transformed', and 'relocated'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('the bin section had placed'), article usage ('at the top of graph'), and sentence structure. Complex sentence attempts are often faulty, leading to run-on sentences or fragmented thoughts. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic structures prevents the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of prepositions when describing locations on a map.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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