Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17
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 given map illustrates the layout of a college cafe before and how it looks now.
From an overall analysis, it is evident that the cafe has been undergoes various new facilities then it was in past. However, the new establishments like coffee bar, take away food, salad bar, outdoor seating and barbecue. Meanwhile, the serving area is replced by the hot meals.
To expound the chart in detail, before resdesign the cafe, the kitchen was located in the north - west area with the attachment of the serving area of all food and drinks in the cafe. Furthermore, in the middle of the map the staff dining rooms were took place nearest to the kitchen. Probing ahead, just below the dining rooms there were tables and chairs were located. In the east-south corner there was a toilets and the bin was stood at the east side.
As further scrutiny reveals, in recent time the cafe undergoes many changes, there is replacement of hot meals in the position of serving area in the north-west area. Subsequently, the middle area of the staff dining roomd now occupied by the take away food and coffee bar. In addition, the salad bar is established in the side of the cafe. The kitchen, tables and chairs are reamined unchanged. Meanwhile, there is a expandation of bin into recycling bins.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The candidate has attempted to describe the changes shown in the two maps of the college cafe. An overview is provided at the beginning, noting general transformations such as the addition of new facilities, and key features are highlighted, such as the changes in the kitchen area, staff dining rooms, and outdoor seating. However, there are notable inaccuracies in reporting the visual data; for instance, the student states that 'The kitchen, tables and chairs are reamined unchanged' while missing some precise details about the layout transformations, and some parts of the overview lack precise clarity. The response adequately fulfils the word count requirement and covers the general scope of the task, earning a band score of 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into distinct paragraphs, attempting a logical progression from an introductory overview to detailed descriptions of the past layout and recent changes. Cohesive devices are employed, such as 'From an overall analysis', 'To expound the chart in detail', and 'As further scrutiny reveals'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes mechanical or awkward, as seen in phrases like 'Probing ahead'. Paragraphing is used, but the overall progression is occasionally hindered by abrupt shifts in topic and awkward phrasing. This reflects the characteristics of Band 6.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for describing simple spatial changes, incorporating terms such as 'layout', 'facilities', 'establishments', and 'replacement'. However, there are frequent word choice and collocation errors, such as 'the cafe has been undergoes', 'the staff dining rooms were took place', and 'expandation of bin'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary often result in awkward phrasing or incorrect word forms. Spelling and morphological control are limited, leading to frequent noticeable errors that occasionally impede smooth reading, placing this performance at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and attempted complex sentence structures. However, grammatical accuracy is weak throughout the text. There are numerous severe errors in tense, voice, and verb agreement, such as 'the cafe has been undergoes various new facilities then it was in past', 'the serving area is replced', and 'there were tables and chairs were located'. Punctuation is basic, and word order issues are frequent. Because errors occur in almost every sentence and frequently impede comprehension, the grammar score is 4.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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