Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23

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 compare the layout of a college cafe how it was in the past with how it is now after redecoration. Overall, the cafe has undergone major transformations, including the replacement of the serving area and staff dining rooms into hot meals, take away food and coffee bar with the addition of a salad bar inside the cafe and barbecue and outdoor seating on the outside, while some of the areas remained unchanged.

Looking into the details, the serving area for all foods and drinks inside the kitchen was converted into the hot meals section. Similarly, staff dining rooms was changed into two separate areas the take away food and the coffee bar. Likewise, bin which was on the eastern side of the cafe was replaced by recycling bins.

Furthermore, salad bar was added inside the cafe while the barbecue and the outdoor seating was placed outside. Moreover, tables and chairs as well as toilets are in their original place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all main features of the two plans, providing a clear overall summary of the transformations. Key changes are accurately reported, such as the conversion of the serving area and staff dining rooms, the addition of the salad bar, outdoor seating, and the barbecue area, as well as elements that remained unchanged like the toilets and the central tables and chairs. The overview highlights the primary structural shifts effectively. While some minor details could be further elaborated, all parts of the prompt are addressed well, satisfying the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction that features a well-defined overview. Body paragraphs are structured logically, separating indoor modifications from outdoor additions and unchanged features. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as "Looking into the details", "Similarly", and "Furthermore", ensuring smooth progression between ideas. However, paragraphing and transitions could be slightly more refined to achieve a more natural flow. Overall, the organizational structure is clear and easy to follow, aligning comfortably with a Band 7.0 standard.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and spatial changes, using terms like "redesign", "transformations", "converted", and "replaced". However, there are some awkward word choices and phrasing, such as "redecoration" instead of "redesign", and missing articles like "the bin" and "salad bar". Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed precision. Because vocabulary errors occur but do not impede communication, the response fits the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as introductory participial clauses and relative clauses ("bin which was on the eastern side"). However, there are noticeable grammatical errors throughout, particularly missing articles ("how it was in the past", "into hot meals, take away food and coffee bar") and occasional subject-verb agreement issues ("the barbecue and the outdoor seating was placed"). Despite these errors, meaning is generally clear and does not impede understanding, making a Band 6.0 appropriate.

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

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