Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04
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 diagrams below illustrate the structure of a college canteen, that how was the canteen looked before and how it is looking after redesign.
There are two graphs the first one is showing the old map and in second, it explains the canteen map after the construction.
Initially, we will talk about the cafe's before design. The previous situation of canteen was started opening and closing doors from right corner, after entering the canteen there was a dust bin in left and toilets was beside it. Staff dining was in font of entering. In the hall there were tables and chairs for the students to their recess. Moreover, there was kitchen and serving area in the right end of the canteen.
Additionally, now will discuss about the present situation of canteen. The entering and closing doors are in the first right corner, Before there was only one bin on the left of doors, but now the upgrade them. The toilet is on its old place. There is a coffee bar and take away food area in the front of doors. Tables and chairs are on their earlier location. The upgraded thing is the salad bar in the hall and a barbecue point in left exit of canteen. In the right corner, there is a kitchen and hot meal point.
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 salad bar and coffee area. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant changes. The language used to describe the spatial layout is occasionally imprecise, making it difficult for the reader to visualize the changes clearly. To improve, you should provide a concise summary paragraph that highlights the most notable transformations, such as the shift from a staff-focused area to a more customer-oriented service layout, rather than simply listing every feature in a sequential manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between ideas is often mechanical. The use of cohesive devices like 'Initially' and 'Additionally' is somewhat forced and does not always reflect the logical relationship between the points. Furthermore, the referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, phrases like 'the upgraded thing' are imprecise and do not contribute to a smooth progression of information. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would significantly enhance the readability and logical structure of your report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'place', 'area', and 'thing'. There is an attempt to use descriptive language, but it is often inaccurate or awkward, such as 'the previous situation of canteen was started opening'. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and variety required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more specific terminology related to floor plans and spatial descriptions, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'adjacent to', and 'situated'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('the canteen', 'a dust bin'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. For instance, 'that how was the canteen looked' is grammatically incorrect and confusing. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often poorly constructed or contain errors that distract the reader. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on basic sentence construction, correct verb tenses, and consistent use of articles. Proofreading for common errors like missing prepositions and incorrect word order will also help.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.