Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11
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 two blueprints shows the before and after version of a cafe in a college once it was renovated.
Overall, the cafe has undergone significant changes with the addition of various amenities and two new entrances. People can now enjoy their food outdoors after new tables and chairs has been added.
Before redesign, there was a dedicated dining section for the staffs, which is now replaced by coffee bar on the right and on the left of this section, take away foods are available. The recycling bin has been expanded after the renovation.
Today, cafe has a separate barbecue area on the left of the new entrance in western part of the cafe. New tables and chairs has been introduced in the southern part which can accommodate 26 people to enjoy their meal outside. A salad bar has been introduced just after the west entrance. Now ,hot meal section has replaced the serving area
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, including the new entrances, the barbecue area, and the outdoor seating. However, the description is somewhat fragmented. While you identify key changes, the comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states could be more systematic. For instance, the transition from the staff dining area to the coffee bar is mentioned, but the spatial layout is not described with enough clarity to help the reader visualize the changes effectively. To improve, ensure you group features logically (e.g., internal changes vs. external additions) and provide a more comprehensive overview of the spatial transformation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. Phrases like 'on the left' and 'in the southern part' are used to navigate the plan, but the flow between sentences is sometimes abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be smoother. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus that guides the reader through the information logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'renovated', 'amenities', and 'accommodate'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'take away foods are available' (should be 'takeaway food') and 'western part of the cafe' (when referring to a plan, 'west side' or 'western section' is more natural). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Expanding your repertoire of descriptive verbs and nouns related to spatial changes would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'blueprints shows' (should be 'show'), 'tables and chairs has been added' (should be 'have been added'), and 'cafe has' (should be 'the cafe has'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation errors, such as the space before the comma in 'Now ,hot meal'. While you attempt some complex structures, the frequency of these basic errors prevents the writing from being considered error-free. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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