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 provided map illustrates, cafe of a collage before it was redesign and how it looks at present.
Overall, it can be clearly seen that cafe has gone under numerous changes like addition of salad bar, barbecue, outdoor seating area and many other things also changed.
Earlier there was main entrance from east direction which remains unchanged at present. Serving area in north east direction was replaced with hot meals area. Nowadays, toilets in south east direction and tables and chairs in the centre at same place as they were in past. There was bin in east direction and now converted to recycling bins.
There was addition of outdoor seating in the south direction at bottom of cafe and barbecue in southwest direction. Staff dining rooms was converted into a take away food counter area as well as a coffee bar zone. Kitchen in north direction remains at same place after construction
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, such as the addition of the salad bar, barbecue, and the conversion of the staff dining room. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic and lacks a clear summary of the most significant changes. While the task is addressed, the description of the layout is occasionally imprecise, such as describing the kitchen as being in the 'north direction' without clearly contrasting it with the surrounding changes. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most striking transformations rather than just listing additions, and provide more precise spatial descriptions to help the reader visualize the changes effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the comparison. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'in the... direction' are used frequently, which makes the flow feel a bit stilted. Additionally, some transitions between sentences are abrupt. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking words and use referencing more effectively to connect ideas across sentences, rather than relying on a list-like structure. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs needs more sophisticated management.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the changes described. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'cafe of a collage' (instead of 'college cafe') and 'gone under numerous changes' (instead of 'undergone'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations related to architectural changes, such as 'transformed into', 'relocated', or 'expanded', and ensure correct article usage to avoid minor errors that detract from the professional tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the cafe', 'a college') and prepositions. For example, 'cafe of a collage' and 'bin in east direction' show a lack of control over basic grammar. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. To improve, focus on proofreading for article usage and subject-verb agreement. Incorporating a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice for describing renovations, would 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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