Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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 maps illustrate the development of a traditional cafe into a modern one with multiple redesigning and modifications.

Overall, the past cafe was a simpler one with minimal facilities available for the people. The recent cafe after improvement is a highly attractive, contemporary, modern and a sophisticated type of cafe which is quite appealing featuring its coffee bar, take away opportunity, salad bar, hot meals service, barbecue and more. However, the previous cafe outlook lacks varieties.

In the first picture, the cafe before redesigning had a large area with seating arrangements and staff dining rooms at the northern side. The serving area for edibles is located at the north-west, along with the kitchen. The toilets are at the south-east corner of the cafe with a disposal bin in its front.

Whereas, the recent cafe comprises a coffee bar, with which there is a takeaway corner as well at the north side of the cafe, replacing the staff dining rooms. Recycling bins are an addition at the south-east corner, opposite to which is a salad bar. Barbecue area is facilitated featuring the outdoor seating for better food experience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all parts of the task well by comparing the college cafe before and after the redesign. Key spatial changes and additions are noted, such as the replacement of the staff dining rooms with a coffee bar and takeaway corner, the addition of a salad bar, and the introduction of outdoor seating and a barbecue area. However, the overview is slightly wordy and overly subjective (e.g., describing the new cafe as 'a highly attractive, contemporary, modern and a sophisticated type of cafe'), rather than focusing strictly on structural and functional transformations. Nevertheless, the main features are selected and reported adequately, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is structured into four paragraphs, moving from an introduction to an overview, and then detailing specific areas of the cafe in the past and present. Logical organization is generally clear, and cohesive devices are employed, such as 'In the first picture' and 'Whereas'. However, paragraphing could be tighter, and some transitional links feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('the recent cafe', 'the cafe before redesigning'). Referencing is mostly clear, though the progression between ideas occasionally stumbles due to slightly awkward phrasing. This performance aligns well with a Band 6.0 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student attempts a range of vocabulary appropriate for a descriptive task, utilizing terms like 'modifications', 'contemporary', 'disposal bin', and 'recycling bins'. There are, however, instances of awkward word choice and slight unnaturalness, such as 'take away opportunity' and 'cafe outlook lacks varieties'. Repetition of terms like 'cafe' also limits lexical flexibility. While there are enough functional items to convey meaning effectively, inaccuracies prevent the score from reaching a higher band. A Band 6.0 is appropriate here.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The maps illustrate the development...' and 'Whereas, the recent cafe comprises a coffee bar, with which there is a takeaway corner...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions, including 'before redesigning had a large area' (missing subject/object clarity) and 'in its front' instead of 'in front of it'. Punctuation and article usage are occasionally faulty ('a disposal bin in its front'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, warranting a Band 6.0.

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

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