Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The illustration gives information about the shape of college cafe before and redesigned . Overall, Cafe look after redesigned are completely changed with the adition of Barbecue section and outdoor seating and Bin changed into Recycling bins.

It is quite evident from the plans cafe before redesign was only limited facilities like kitchen on tiolets on the side corner side and Bin was also present near the toilets. In the center there were the tables and chairs and its covers the most of area of cafe and Staff dining rooms were present in this section. Thus, in above hall Kitchen and Serving area all food and drinks were served.

Meanwhile, Cafe today look Serving area changed into Hot meals and another also Salad bar on one side. Staff dining are changed into Take away food and Coffee bar, Bin changed into Recycling bins . Hence, one more addition of Barbecue section are available with that of also outdoor seating facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the two plans, noting key changes such as the addition of the outdoor seating area, the barbecue section, and the conversion of the bin into recycling bins. However, the description contains several inaccuracies and omissions regarding the spatial layout and features. For instance, the student states that the kitchen and toilets were 'on the side corner side', and misinterprets the staff dining rooms as being present in the center. Furthermore, the overview is extremely brief and lacks a clear summary of the overall spatial transformation. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, which aligns with the descriptors for Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is divided into three paragraphs, providing some basic structure. However, there is a lack of overall logical progression, and ideas are frequently disjointed due to awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions (e.g., 'Meanwhile, Cafe today look...'). Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is weak. Pronoun referencing and substitution are poorly managed, making it difficult to follow the spatial relationships between the various features of the cafe. Cohesive devices are used inadequately and inaccurately throughout the response. This performance fits the Band 5.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent word choice and collocation errors (e.g., 'cafe look after redesigned', 'adition', 'tiolets'). While the student attempts to name some specific features from the plans ('Hot meals', 'Coffee bar', 'Recycling bins'), the overall lexical range is limited and barely adequate for the task. Spelling mistakes and awkward lexical choices cause some difficulty for the reader and occasionally impede communication. These characteristics reflect a Band 5.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex forms that result in severe structural errors and awkward syntax (e.g., 'It is quite evident from the plans cafe before redesign was only limited facilities like kitchen on tiolets...'). There are frequent errors in verb tenses, prepositions, and article usage throughout the response. These errors frequently cause strain and difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar firmly at a Band 5.0 level.

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

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