Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

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

Overall, there is an expansion of the cafe by the addition of some facilities like outdoor seating and barbecue setups. In the seating area of the cafe, 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. Subsequently, 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 a barbecue area are added on the southern side of the cafe. Bins are transformed into recycling bins. Two staff dining rooms are changed into a coffee bar and takeaway food rooms. Finally, there is an addition of a salad bar in the seating area of the cafe located on the western side. The serving area is converted into a hot meal point, but the kitchen remains unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign. You have clearly highlighted the key changes, such as the addition of outdoor seating, the barbecue area, and the reconfiguration of internal rooms. The overview provides a good summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit; for instance, you could better contrast the previous layout with the new one by using more comparative language. The description of the kitchen remaining unchanged is a good detail to include, as it shows a comprehensive observation of the provided plans.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

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 such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover' helps guide the reader through the information. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the sentence structure and use more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the changes more fluidly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'adjacent', 'reconfigured', and 'converted'. The terminology is generally accurate and appropriate for a report on a diagram. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations or less common lexical items related to architectural changes, such as 'undergone a transformation' or 'the layout was modified to accommodate'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. You have used passive voice effectively, which is appropriate for this type of task (e.g., 'bins are transformed', 'the kitchen remains unchanged'). While the grammar is solid, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Incorporating more varied subordinate clauses or different sentence patterns would help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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