Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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 6.0)

The plans compare the college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks today.

Overall, the cafe underwent major modifications with several new sections being added. Outdoor seating and barbecue sections have been introduced, whereas staff dining rooms have been replaced with coffee bar and take away food area.

Before redesign, there was a kitchen with an area for serving food and drink at the north end of the cafe. In contrast, serving area has now been replaced with an area for hot meals. The two staff dining rooms in the central area have been replaced with take away food and coffee bar. Salad bar has also been introduced on the left end of the large area where there are tables and chairs.

Toilets section remained unchanged whereas recycling bins area has now enlarged. Barbecue and outdoor seating is newly introduced now with connection to inside through door which was not there before redesign.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign well. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the introduction of outdoor seating, the barbecue area, and the reconfiguration of the kitchen and dining spaces. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are fully developed. For instance, while you mention the serving area was replaced, specifying the exact location or the nature of the new 'hot meals' area would add more precision. Overall, the task is addressed clearly and the main trends are highlighted effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that group information by area or change. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use some cohesive devices like 'In contrast' and 'whereas' to link ideas. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing is more precise. For example, in the final paragraph, the transition between the toilets and the recycling bins could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task, using terms like 'modifications', 'reconfigured', and 'introduced' appropriately. There are some minor issues with article usage (e.g., 'serving area has now been replaced' should be 'the serving area') and some slightly repetitive phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'transformed'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is generally effective. However, there are several recurring grammatical errors, particularly with articles (e.g., 'Before redesign', 'Salad bar has also been introduced', 'Toilets section remained'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not impede communication. To improve, focus on the correct use of definite and indefinite articles when describing specific areas of a floor plan. While you attempt complex sentences, ensuring they are error-free will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

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

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