Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The maps illustrate the changes that occurred in a college cafe before and after renovation and how it looks now.

Overall, there is expansion in the area of a cafe by the addition of some facilities like outdoor seating and barbeque setups. In the seating area of the cafe, different amenities are included.

Firstly, before renovation, there was one entrance from the eastern side of the cafe. Then, on the left side of the entrance, there was a bin and toilets adjacent to the bin. Next, on the northern side of the seating area, there were two staff dining rooms. Additionally, on the northwest corner, there was a kitchen and a serving area right next to it.

Furthermore, after renovation, there is the addition of two entrances, and now there are three. Moreover, outdoor seating and barbeque setups are added on the southern side of the cafe. Bins are transformed into recycling bins. Two staff dining rooms are changed into coffee bar and takeaway food rooms. In the end, there is an addition of a salad bar in the seating area of the cafe located on the western side. The serving area is changed into a hot meal point, but the kitchen remains unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all key features of the cafe renovation. You have identified the main changes, such as the addition of outdoor seating, the transformation of the staff dining rooms, and the new entrances. The overview provides a clear summary of the primary developments. To reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit; for instance, instead of listing features sequentially, you could group them by area (e.g., 'While the kitchen remained in its original location, the serving area was converted...'). This would demonstrate a more analytical approach to the data provided in the diagrams.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that separate the 'before' and 'after' states. The use of cohesive devices like 'Firstly,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In the end' helps guide the reader through the description. However, the transition between the two paragraphs could be smoother. The progression is generally clear, but some sentences feel slightly disjointed due to a reliance on simple list-like structures. Using more varied linking phrases would improve the flow and help the reader see the relationship between the old and new layouts more clearly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'renovation,' 'amenities,' 'adjacent,' and 'transformed.' There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'expansion in the area of a cafe' (better: 'expansion of the cafe area') and 'barbeque setups' (better: 'barbecue area'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Incorporating more precise descriptive language, such as 'relocated,' 'converted into,' or 'integrated,' would enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, though there are occasional errors with articles and prepositions, such as 'in the area of a cafe' instead of 'in the cafe area.' You demonstrate a good grasp of basic grammar, but the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate more varied sentence patterns, such as using passive voice to describe the changes (e.g., 'The kitchen was retained, while the staff rooms were converted into a coffee bar').

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.