Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

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 cafe before and after renovation.

Overall, there is an expansion in the area of a cafe by the addition of some amenities such as barbecue, outdoor seating, and other facilities. Some facilities were also added in the seating area of the cafe.

Before renovation, there was only a single entrance from the northeast of the cafe. Adjacent to the entrance, there was a bin and toilets next to the bin. Additionally, there are two staff dining rooms on the northern side of the cafe sitting area. In addition, the serving area located on the southwest side of the cafe and the kitchen was right next to it.

After renovation, there is the addition of two entrances from the southern side of the cafe, and now they become three. Moreover, the bin is converted into recycle bins. The area of the cafe is expanded by the addition of an outdoor seating and barbecue area on the southern side of the cafe. Furthermore, two staff dining rooms transform into one coffee bar room and one takeaway food room. The facility in the form of a salad bar area is included on the western side of the cafe seating area. Finally, the serving area is changed into a hot meals area. In contrast, 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 expansion of the seating area, the addition of new facilities like the barbecue and salad bar, and the reconfiguration of the staff rooms. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more direct comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states rather than listing them separately. For instance, instead of describing the staff rooms in two separate paragraphs, you could contrast their previous function with their current purpose in a single comparative statement to better highlight the evolution of the space.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the changes. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'In contrast' helps guide the reader through the information. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary the sentence structure and use more sophisticated linking phrases that connect the spatial changes more fluidly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas from the general layout to specific functional changes is logical and easy to follow throughout the response.

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 relevant to the task. To improve, avoid repetitive phrasing like 'addition of' or 'area of'. Instead, use more precise verbs and nouns to describe the spatial shifts. For example, instead of saying 'the area of the cafe is expanded', you could use 'the cafe footprint was extended'. Expanding your range of synonyms for 'change' and 'add' will help demonstrate a more flexible command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, there are some minor issues with tense consistency and article usage. For example, you shift between past and present tense (e.g., 'there was' vs 'there is'). When describing a completed renovation, it is often more natural to use the past tense consistently or use the present tense to describe the current state of the map. Additionally, watch for small errors like 'the addition of an outdoor seating' (should be 'outdoor seating' or 'an outdoor seating area').

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

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