Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03
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 layout outlines the information regarding the makeover of a coffee shop in a university with significant alterations.
As it is evident from the blueprint that there are major modifications done in the cafeteria by attaching an additional outer seating area with a barbecue on the either side, meanwhile as by moving forward there are minimal changes, by including an additional salad bar furthermore transforming the staff dining area into a coffee station and a take away counter.
The other modification was converting a serving area into a freshly cooked fare. Although, the other zones were unchanged. The areas such as the kitchen, toilets, waste collection were not refurbished.
Overall, it can be concluded that there were significant modifications carried out meanwhile making it tangible and comfortable area with all imperative facilities.
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 ability to fully develop the response. While you have identified some key features, such as the new seating area and the salad bar, the description is quite brief and lacks a detailed comparison of the layout changes. The overview is present but lacks sufficient detail to fully capture the scope of the redesign. To improve, ensure you describe the spatial changes more precisely and provide a more comprehensive summary of the main features to meet the length requirement and provide a more thorough analysis of the visual data.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as the phrase 'meanwhile as by moving forward'. The logical progression between sentences is occasionally interrupted by unclear phrasing, making the flow feel somewhat disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words more naturally and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus. Improving the transition between the description of the changes and the overall summary would also enhance the coherence of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'blueprint', 'modifications', and 'refurbished' being relevant. However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'making it tangible and comfortable area', where 'tangible' is not the correct term for a physical space. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to describing changes in diagrams, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed', and ensure collocations are used accurately.
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. For example, the sentence 'As it is evident from the blueprint that there are major modifications done...' is grammatically awkward. There are also issues with preposition usage and sentence fragments. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of complex sentence structures to improve accuracy and variety.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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