Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01
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 blueprints clearly shows the vivid changes made to the cafe design of the college. Changes made to the serving area, staff dining rooms, the capacity of the bin has increased, and new outdoor seating has been built. While, tiolets remain exactly same as they were.
Overall, a major design change in the cafe can be observed after redesigning. There are some rooms that are totally discarded from the college cafe like serving area, staff dining area. While there are also some new sections introduced to the cafe like Salad Bar, barbecue and outdoor seating area.
At first we can clearly see how the serving area is now changed into hot meals area whereas, staff dining rooms have been converted to take away food and coffee bar. The bin is exactly at the same position near the toilets. However, the recyling bins area has been increased.
The cafe has also introduced some new areas like the salad bar in the main dining hall, barbecue out side the cafe and also an outdoor seating area with 5 tables. The entry and exit door are still at the same point.
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 redesign, including the conversion of the serving area and the addition of new facilities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. However, the report lacks a clear, cohesive overview of the most significant changes. While you mention that the serving area and staff dining rooms were discarded, this is inaccurate as they were repurposed, not removed. The description of the bin area is also slightly confusing. To improve, ensure you accurately interpret the visual data and provide a more concise summary of the overall transformation in the introduction or overview paragraph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the information. However, the logical progression is occasionally hindered by repetitive phrasing and some awkward transitions. For instance, the use of 'While' at the start of a sentence is grammatically incorrect in your context. Cohesive devices are present but sometimes used mechanically. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in contrast') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus to improve the flow of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'redesigned', 'converted', and 'capacity'. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'tiolets' (toilets) and 'recyling' (recycling), and some word choice inaccuracies, such as 'discarded' when referring to the rooms. The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, work on using more precise collocations related to describing maps and plans, and ensure you proofread for basic spelling mistakes.
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 subject-verb agreement issues ('blueprints clearly shows') and incorrect punctuation or sentence fragments ('While, tiolets remain exactly same'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall clarity. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles and prepositions. Practising complex sentence structures, such as using relative clauses or passive voice, will also help demonstrate better grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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