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

You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe renovation and provided a clear comparison between the two plans. You covered all key changes, including the expansion of the seating area, the addition of new facilities like the salad bar and barbecue area, and the repurposing of existing rooms. The overview is clear and sets the stage for the detailed body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, ensure that you avoid minor inaccuracies; for example, you mentioned the serving area was on the southwest side, but the plan shows it on the southeast. Overall, the information is well-selected and reported accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and two distinct body paragraphs covering 'before' and 'after' states. You used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', 'In contrast', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the changes. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two time periods. The referencing is generally clear, though some minor improvements in the flow between sentences could make the text feel more natural and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'amenities', 'repurposed', and 'converted'. The language is precise enough to convey the spatial changes effectively. There are some minor issues with collocation, such as 'coffee bar room' or 'takeaway food room', which could be more naturally phrased as 'coffee bar' or 'takeaway area'. However, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of the visual information provided in the diagrams.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used passive voice effectively to describe the changes, such as 'the bin is converted' and 'the serving area is changed'. While there are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'there is the addition of two entrances' (which could be more concisely phrased) and occasional tense inconsistencies (mixing present and past), these errors do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound, showing a good level of control.

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

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