Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05
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 5.5)
The plans below illustrate the changes of a college cafe, comparing its original layout with current design.
Overall, the area of kitchen remained the same in both designs. However, in the beginning there was a serving area which has been replaced by hot meals while staff dining rooms have been substitute with take away food and coffee bar. Moreover, outdoor sitting has been added to the current design with some chairs and tables where barbecue is being served.
Before redesigning of a college cafeteria, there was a serving area where all kind of food and drinks ware served but comparing it with current design, it has replaced by only hot drinks. There was a staff dining room with tables and chairs where teachers can enjoy meal. Now, it has been changed with take away food and coffee bar with same sitting.
However, the place of a kitchen is same and the toilets are also on the same place. In addition, salad bar has been added to this area while bin area has been replaced with recycling bins. Moreover, outdoor sitting has been introduced with some tables and chairs where barbecue is served.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the kitchen, serving areas, and new additions like the outdoor seating and salad bar. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the most significant changes, such as the shift from a general serving area to specialized zones. The description of the changes is somewhat repetitive, particularly regarding the outdoor seating and the kitchen location, which are mentioned in both the overview and the body paragraphs. To improve, ensure that the overview highlights the most striking transformations rather than just listing details, and avoid repeating the same information in multiple sections of the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly inaccurate, such as the repetitive use of 'Moreover' and 'However' to start sentences. The progression of ideas is occasionally hindered by the repetition of information, making the flow feel less natural. While the essay is coherent overall, the logical flow between the comparison of the 'before' and 'after' states could be more fluid. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph introduces distinct information would enhance the cohesion of the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to understand the changes described. There are some instances of awkward word choices, such as 'staff dining rooms have been substitute with' (should be 'substituted with' or 'replaced by') and 'all kind of food' (should be 'all kinds of food'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology for describing spatial changes and layout modifications, and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'the area of kitchen remained' (missing article 'the'), 'it has replaced by' (should be 'it has been replaced by'), and 'ware served' (should be 'were served'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of passive voice, and ensuring articles are used appropriately before nouns. Proofreading for basic tense consistency would also be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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