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, new 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 covers all key features of the cafe renovation, including the new entrances, the addition of outdoor seating and a barbecue area, and the repurposing of internal rooms. The overview is clear and highlights the main trends effectively. However, the description of the 'before' state is slightly repetitive in its structure, and the comparison could be more integrated. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more analytical approach to the spatial changes rather than simply listing them. Overall, it successfully addresses the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that separate the 'before' and 'after' states. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the spatial changes. Paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the report. The progression of ideas is smooth, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing of locations (e.g., 'northern side', 'northwest corner') is precise and helps maintain coherence throughout the description.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for describing maps and spatial changes. Phrases like 'adjacent to', 'converted into', and 'remains unchanged' are used accurately. There is an attempt to use specific terminology related to the cafe layout. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and some descriptions are slightly repetitive (e.g., 'addition of'). To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more varied synonyms for 'change' and 'add' to demonstrate a more sophisticated lexical range.

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 punctuation is used correctly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. While the range of structures is sufficient, the student relies heavily on 'there was/there is' constructions. Incorporating more varied sentence beginnings and passive voice structures (e.g., 'The kitchen was retained while the staff rooms were transformed') would improve the grammatical variety and flow of the report.

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