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)
A layout gives information about how college cafe looks before and now It was renovate and how its design now.
overall, There a major changes in Cafe central area and some new sections construct or seating expand outdoor of the cafe.
The kitchen is same place with pity changes in serving area now become hot meals section , Hereinafter Staff dinning rooms vanish from the cafe, and divide into to place Take away food or Coffee bar, but Tables and chairs remain at same place and one more section added Salad bar and no change in door.
However, Toilets stable at same place and Bin converted into Recycling Bins, Furthermore Barbecue is added a new section in outdoor of the cafe , with outdoor seating with five table placed in one line in different direction suitable for four or six people , therefore two new door are installed in out doors seating one for entrance and one for exit.
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 kitchen changes, the addition of the salad bar, and the new outdoor seating area. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, professional overview of the transformation. While the main features are identified, the reporting is occasionally imprecise, such as describing the staff dining room as 'vanishing' rather than being replaced. To improve, ensure that the summary provides a more cohesive picture of the changes, focusing on the most significant structural shifts rather than listing every minor detail in a way that obscures the overall trend.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often mechanical and sometimes confusing. The use of cohesive devices like 'Hereinafter' and 'Furthermore' is occasionally inappropriate for this context, leading to awkward phrasing. The logical progression is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of clear referencing. For example, the transition between the kitchen changes and the outdoor area is abrupt. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the readability and logical flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'place' and 'change'. There are several instances of inaccurate word choice, such as 'pity changes' (likely meaning 'minor' or 'slight') and 'Toilets stable at same place'. The attempt to use more descriptive language is present, but the execution lacks the precision required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more academic collocations related to describing maps and layouts, such as 'relocated', 'converted into', or 'extended', and ensure that word choices are contextually appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('There a major changes'), tense consistency ('It was renovate'), and article usage. Sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors that can impede the reader's understanding. For instance, the phrase 'with outdoor seating with five table placed in one line' is grammatically cluttered. To achieve a higher score, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and reducing the frequency of errors that distract from the content.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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