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 diagram compare the layout of a college cafe before and after it's redesign.

The most noticeable changes are that the single large seating area has been divided into separate sections for different food and drink options, and the staff dining room has been removed.

Before the redesign, the cafe had a kitchen at the top with serving area for all food and drink below it. The majority of the space has occupied by tables and chairs. In the right bottom corner there was a staff dining room with two tables, and toilets were located next to it.

Following the redesign, the kitchen remains in the same place but is now smaller. The serving area has been replaced by hot meals section and a salad bar. The large seating area has been divided into three sections, a coffee bar, take away food and the remaining tables and chairs. The staff dining room has been removed while, toilets remains in the same position but there is a recycling bin now next to them.

Additionally, new outdoor seating and a barbecue area have been added outside the cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the cafe redesign. You successfully identified the key changes, such as the division of the seating area, the removal of the staff room, and the addition of outdoor facilities. The overview is clear and highlights the most significant transformations. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, you mention the kitchen is 'smaller' without explicitly noting that the overall footprint of the cafe has expanded to accommodate the new outdoor area. Overall, the information is well-selected and the report is accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding sentence. The progression of information from the 'before' state to the 'after' state is easy to follow. You use some cohesive devices like 'Before the redesign', 'Following the redesign', and 'Additionally' to link ideas. However, the cohesion is sometimes a bit mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the majority of the space') is consistently clear throughout the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the cafe's development.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task, using terms like 'redesign', 'layout', 'serving area', and 'recycling bin' correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'The majority of the space has occupied by', which should be passive voice ('was occupied by'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would push the score into the 8.0 range. Focusing on more precise collocations and varied descriptive verbs would enhance your lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that slightly distract the reader, such as 'The diagram compare' (subject-verb agreement error: 'compares') and 'it's redesign' (incorrect possessive: 'its'). Additionally, 'toilets remains' should be 'toilets remain'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and the distinction between possessive pronouns and contractions, as these are foundational elements of accurate writing.

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

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