Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 6.5)

The two maps illustrate the layout of a college café before and after it was redesigned.

Overall, after the redesign, the café underwent major changes, including the addition of outdoor seating and a hot-meals section. However, some areas, such as the kitchen and toilets, remained unchanged.

In the north-western area, the kitchen remained unchanged, while the serving area for all food and drinks was converted into a hot-meals section. In the centre, the two staff dining rooms were converted into two different facilities: one became a takeaway food area, while the other was turned into a coffee bar. Several other changes were also made to the café.

On the eastern side, the original bin was replaced by recycling bins, while the toilets remained unchanged. Regarding the new facilities, a salad bar was added on the western side of the café. Outside the café, two new doors were added, providing access to a new outdoor seating area. Furthermore, a barbecue area was added outside the café

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the college café before and after its redesign, providing clear comparisons as requested. An effective overview is given, noting major changes such as the outdoor seating and hot-meals section alongside permanent features like the kitchen and toilets. Specific details are accurately reported, such as the conversion of the staff dining rooms into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar, as well as the addition of a salad bar and a barbecue area. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data, with no invented details. This performance aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors, as all parts are covered thoroughly and supported by accurate details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from a general introduction and overview to specific spatial details. Paragraphing is used appropriately, dividing the response into a clear introduction/overview paragraph and body paragraphs that methodically cover different sections of the maps (north-western, central, eastern, western, and exterior). Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', 'In the north-western area', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparisons. Referencing is clear throughout. Although paragraphing could be slightly more balanced, the logical sequencing and management of cohesion firmly meet the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary for this academic task, utilizing functional phrases such as 'underwent major changes', 'converted into', and 'providing access to'. Less common lexical items related to maps and changes are attempted with reasonable accuracy, such as 'redesigned', 'facilities', and 'recycling bins'. Word choices and collocations are generally natural, though there is occasional repetition of terms like 'café' and 'added' ('a salad bar was added', 'two new doors were added', 'a barbecue area was added'). Minor lexical limitations place this securely at Band 6.5, as the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message clearly and with some precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and participial phrases effectively (e.g., 'providing access to a new outdoor seating area'). Grammatical control is generally strong, with frequent error-free sentences and correct punctuation. While there is a minor omission of a final full stop in the very last sentence, this slip does not impede communication. The variety of structures and overall accuracy reflect a solid Band 7.0 performance.

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

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