Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22
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)
A close inspection of the accompanying maps delineates a comprehensive breakdown of the structural modification implemented in cafeteria during operational sequence.
Overall, it is exceptionally evident that before cafe redesign emerged as the most dominant feature throughout the period, whereas cafe today in changing outdoor deating and barbacue consistently accounted for the least significant share. Additionally a profound trasformation is observable among the remaining variables over the timeline.
In the original layout, the top left section contained a kitchen with an adjjacent serving arear for all food and drinks. In updated design, this serving area has been replaced by a specialized counter for hot meals. The two staff dining rooms, which previously occupied the center top portion of the cafe, have been completely removed.The most substantia expansion occured outside the main building structure. A large outdoor seating area has been developed along the bottom edge of the cafe area.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main changes between the two plans, noting the kitchen modifications, the removal of the staff dining rooms, and the addition of outdoor seating. However, the response suffers from a critical length penalty, coming in at 149 words (just one word short of the 150-word minimum). Furthermore, the overview paragraph is flawed and nonsensical, stating that 'before cafe redesign emerged as the most dominant feature throughout the period, whereas cafe today in changing outdoor deating and barbacue consistently accounted for the least significant share'—language which is more suited to a dynamic chart or graph task than a static floor plan comparison. While some key features are reported, the lack of a proper spatial overview and the minor word-count shortfall limit the score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The text is organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. However, the logical progression is hindered by the unusual overview, which confuses the static nature of map comparisons with data trends ('most dominant feature', 'least significant share'). Cohesive devices are used to some extent (e.g., 'Additionally', 'In the original layout', 'In updated design'), but there are instances of clunky phrasing and a lack of smooth transitions between sentences. Paragraphing is attempted, but the body paragraphs are abrupt and underdeveloped. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph boundaries and overall flow could be significantly improved for a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts some sophisticated vocabulary, such as 'delineates', 'comprehensive breakdown', 'structural modification', and 'profound transformation'. However, these attempts frequently result in unnatural collocations or misuse, such as 'cafeteria during operational sequence' and 'outdoor deating and barbacue'. There are also spelling errors like 'adjjacent', 'arear', 'trasformation', and 'substantia'. While the vocabulary range is adequate for basic communication, the high frequency of inaccurate lexical choices and spelling mistakes keeps the score at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an attempt at complex sentence structures, such as 'Overall, it is exceptionally evident that before cafe redesign emerged... whereas cafe today in changing outdoor deating and barbacue consistently accounted for...'. However, this sentence is grammatically tangled and difficult to parse. Other errors include missing articles ('in cafeteria', 'In updated design') and minor punctuation issues (e.g., missing space after periods in 'Additionally a profound' and 'removed.The most'). While there are some error-free simple sentences, control over complex grammar is inconsistent, warranting a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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