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 plan given shows us a comparison of a college café, before and after it was remodeled. It highlights the main features, and how the café looks after redesigning.

The basic layout of having table and chairs, toilet in the south east, and a kitchen in the north west is the same as before. The area that was previously used for hot meals is now being used as a serving area for all types of food and drinks. The takeaway food, and coffee bar now serves as staff dining rooms. The previously small bin has been replaced with a larger recycling bin.

A salad bar has been opened on the left of table and chair section. On the exit door, to the south west of the café, is now a barbecue area. The outdoor area is also utilized by converting it into outdoor seating area for customers who want to enjoy fresh air.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the cafe redesign, identifying key changes such as the new salad bar, the barbecue area, and the conversion of the takeaway section. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it merely states that the plan shows a comparison rather than highlighting the most significant trends, such as the expansion of seating and the shift toward a more customer-focused layout. While the response addresses the task requirements, it lacks a clear, analytical summary of the overall transformation, which is essential for a higher band score in Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the general layout to specific changes. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction from the body details. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For instance, the transition between the description of the kitchen and the staff dining room could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences occasionally feels like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the overall readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for a clear description of the changes. You used terms like 'remodeled', 'utilized', and 'converting' effectively. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases such as 'The plan given shows us' and 'The area that was previously used' are functional but lack sophistication. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise descriptive language related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'expanded', or 'integrated', rather than relying on basic verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'The basic layout of having table and chairs' (should be 'tables and chairs') and 'On the exit door... is now a barbecue area' (which is syntactically awkward). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a lack of full control over complex structures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that prepositional phrases are used correctly to describe locations within the plan.

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

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