Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The layout below illustrates a college cafeteria before it was redesigned and how it looks today .
Overall, the configuuration of cafe has drastically changed over the time , the rectangular outer layout remains the same but as it was before, Subsquently several secton has been added inside and outside of the collage canteen.
Initially, at the upper left corner like kitchen remains the same but serving area get replaced by hot meals, followed by salad bars and barbeque in the left hand side of bar, in the middle tables and chairs remains constant.
In contrast, staff dining rooms get reconstructed, into take away food and a coffee bar, whereas Bin expanded into more bigger size and classified by recycling bins. An outside dining area is settled in the bottom of the canteen , Overall the configuration has been changed with several other facilities which make cafe look more high-profile .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarize the changes shown in the two maps of the college cafe. The overview sentence mentions that the configuration has drastically changed while the outer layout remains the same, which touches on the main features. However, the reporting of specific details lacks clarity and organization. For instance, the phrase 'at the upper left corner like kitchen remains the same' is confusing, and the description of the serving area being replaced by hot meals, salad bars, and a barbecue is somewhat jumbled. While the writer manages to identify several key transformations—such as the staff dining rooms becoming takeaway food and a coffee bar, and the addition of an outside dining area—the overall presentation of information is partially underdeveloped and struggles to make comprehensive comparisons.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is divided into four paragraphs, which visually mimics a standard report structure, but the internal cohesion and logical progression are weak. The introductory sentence is followed by an overview paragraph that contains awkward punctuation and confusing transitions like 'Subsquently several secton has been added'. Cohesive devices are either misused or absent, leading to a disjointed flow. For example, the use of 'Initially' and 'In contrast' attempts to structure the comparison, but the referencing between sentences is often unclear, such as 'whereas Bin expanded into more bigger size'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks a clear, logical pattern.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is somewhat limited and repetitive, with several instances of awkward word choice and spelling errors. Examples include 'configuuration', 'Subsquently', 'secton', 'collage' (instead of college), and 'more bigger' (a double comparative). While the writer attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'redesigned', 'configuration', and 'high-profile', the numerous lexical errors and unnatural collocations occasionally impede communication and restrict the score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple or awkwardly fused sentences. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('tables and chairs remains constant', 'staff dining rooms get reconstructed') and punctuation mistakes (unnecessary spaces before commas and periods). Complex structures are attempted but are generally faulty and lack control. These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader and place the performance firmly in the Band 5 category.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.