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, like a coffee bar, salad bar, etc.

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

You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe renovation, including the expansion of seating, the addition of new facilities, and the changes to entrances. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit. For example, instead of just listing changes, you could contrast the previous layout with the new one more fluidly. The inclusion of specific details like the 'hot meal point' and 'recycling bins' demonstrates a good grasp of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that separate the 'before' and 'after' states. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader. While the progression is logical, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the linking phrases and ensure that the connection between the two paragraphs is smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'renovation', 'amenities', 'adjacent', and 'converted' appropriately. There is some repetition of basic verbs like 'there was' and 'there is'. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more precise verbs to describe spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'replaced', or 'transformed'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is generally effective. Most sentences are clear and error-free, though there are minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing (e.g., 'on the left side of the entrance'). The grammar is generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. To improve, try to use more complex sentence structures, such as using participial phrases or relative clauses to combine information, which would demonstrate greater control over grammatical range.

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

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