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 altered 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 effectively covers the main features of the cafe renovation. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the addition of outdoor seating, the barbecue area, and the reconfiguration of the interior spaces. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that comparisons are more explicit; for instance, noting that the kitchen remained in the same location while the serving area was repurposed is a good start, but more analytical comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' layouts would strengthen the response. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the relevant information.

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 'Finally' helps guide the reader through the description. Paragraphing is used appropriately to group related information. While the flow is generally smooth, some of the transitions between sentences feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the linking phrases and ensure that the progression of ideas feels more natural rather than just a list of changes.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'amenities', 'reconfigured', and 'transformed'. The terminology is generally accurate and appropriate for a report on a floor plan. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choice is precise enough to convey the intended meaning. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to avoid repetitive phrasing like 'addition of' or 'there was/were'. Overall, the lexical range is adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate, which ensures that the information is conveyed clearly. There are no major errors that impede communication. To improve, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings and more complex grammatical structures, such as using passive voice more effectively to describe the changes (e.g., 'The kitchen was retained while the serving area was converted into...'). The current control is solid and reliable.

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.