Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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 plan shows a college cafe before and after it was renovated presently.

Overall, the serving area is divided as per different food categories, and a few facilities are added like recycling bins and outdoor seating.

Before the renovation, a large area for tables and chairs was made in the central part of the cafe. Toilets and Bin were located on the south-eastern corner, while staff dining rooms were situated at the northern middle area. A separate rectangular area was situated on the north-western side of the main area. The smaller area consisted of kitchen on the north most part and serving area for all food and drinks on the opposite.

Currently, the serving area is replaced by Hot meals counter, while the staff dining rooms are removed and take away food and coffee bar counters are constructed. A salad bar is added on the western side of the parameter, while a barbecue is made on the parameter outside the south-western corner. Additionally, outdoor seating are added on the southern side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies and reports the main features of the college cafe before and after its redesign, satisfying the core requirements of Academic Task 1. Key features such as the relocation of the serving counters, the removal of the staff dining rooms, and the addition of outdoor seating, a salad bar, and a barbecue are noted and compared. However, the overview provided in the second sentence is somewhat limited and lacks a broader summary of the overall spatial transformation. Furthermore, some descriptive details are slightly imprecise, such as referring to the perimeter as 'parameter'. Nevertheless, the response covers all parts of the prompt adequately, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into four logical paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, a description of the past layout, and a description of the current layout. This provides a coherent overall arrangement. Cohesive devices and referencing are generally functional, allowing the reader to follow the spatial comparisons between the two plans, as seen in phrases like 'Before the renovation' and 'Currently'. However, paragraphing could be slightly more sophisticated, and minor mechanical usage of cohesive markers limits higher band progression. Overall, the organizational structure is clear and effective, matching the Band 6 descriptors well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing words related to architecture and layout, such as 'renovated', 'rectangular area', 'counters', and 'barbecue'. There are, however, a few notable lexical errors and awkward word choices, most prominently the repeated misspelling and misuse of 'parameter' instead of 'perimeter', and 'outdoor seating are added' (subject-verb agreement). Despite these occasional slips, the vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the main changes clearly, aligning with the criteria for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing prepositional phrases of place and passive constructions ('are constructed', 'is added') to describe the layout changes. While many sentences are grammatically correct, there are several noticeable errors, such as 'outdoor seating are added' (plural subject with singular verb) and tense confusion in the opening sentence ('before and after it was renovated presently'). These errors occasionally disrupt the flow but do not impede overall comprehension. Control of grammar and punctuation is moderate, placing the response firmly at Band 6.0.

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

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