Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-21

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 5.5)

The given top view of plan shows the comparison of how college cafe looks after redesign of old one.

Overall, major modification had been observed in seating arrangements, bar facility, relocation of food and drink serving area, and installation of new recycling bin.

New open seating area arrange outside of cafe, by which seating capacity of cafe was increased. In the kitchen, hot meals counter is added on the location of serving area. Staff dining rooms splits in two parts and relocated in take away counter and coffee bar. However, salad bar added in front of kitchen area. Two doors were installed on the side of toilets to access outside seating. Barbecue arrangement is done inline with outside seating. Bin has been replace to recycling bins. No changes has been observed in inside seating area.

Moreover, new modification of bars & barbecue attracts more student and approximately 26 number of student can easily seat outside and enjoy their meal.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully covers the main features of the transformation of the college cafe. The overview identifies key areas of change such as seating arrangements, bar facilities, and the relocation of the serving area. However, the response includes minor inaccuracies and speculation not present in the visual data, such as claiming that 'approximately 26 number of student can easily seat outside'. Additionally, some details like 'Staff dining rooms splits in two parts' misinterpret the source material where two separate rooms are replaced by two distinct counters (take-away and coffee bar). Overall, all parts of the task are addressed, but the development contains some minor overgeneralizations and unsupported details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into clear paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing the changes. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Overall,' and 'However,', though some referencing and transitions feel slightly mechanical or abrupt. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific spatial changes. While the logical progression is generally maintained, the flow between sentences could be smoother with more varied transitional phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing changes, using terms like 'modification', 'relocated', and 'installation'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'New open seating area arrange outside' (should be 'arranged') and 'Bin has been replace to recycling bins' (should be 'replaced by'). Less common lexical items are attempted but occasionally misused, placing this performance firmly in the Band 6 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as passive voice constructions ('major modification had been observed' and 'Two doors were installed'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms, tense consistency, and prepositions, such as 'seating area arrange outside', 'Staff dining rooms splits', and 'seat outside' instead of 'sit outside'. These errors do not completely impede communication, but they lower the overall accuracy of the writing.

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

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