Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29
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 map plans illustrate a university cafeteria that compares the novel to previous ancient one.
Overall, significant variable can be observed between two genera cafteria. Majorly, servicing area and staff dining rooms are replaced by hot meals and take away food, coffee bar. Renovation of barbecue, salad bar, and outdoor seating are clearly visible.
To begin with, the antique cafeteria designed with kitchen at the North-West corner of the room and serving area is just adjusted infront of kitchen.
Meanwhile, staff dining rooms are settled in middle of the apartment surrounded by tables and chairs. Furthermore, bin and toilets were constructed at South-East direction.
Subsequently, the modern cafe is designed with proper engineering that serving area is replaced with hot meals. Moreover, Take away food and coffee bar are transformed from staff dining rooms. Meanwhile, salad bar, barbecue and outdoor seating are noticeably rejuvenated. However, tables and chairs are managed as it is.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The candidate attempts to address the task by describing the main changes between the two plans of the college cafe. Key features such as the transformation of the staff dining rooms into a take-away food area and coffee bar, the addition of a salad bar, outdoor seating, and a barbecue are correctly identified. However, the response suffers from some awkward expressions and slight inaccuracies in grouping and reporting, such as describing the previous layout as an "ancient one." While the main features are covered, the development of comparisons could be more clearly structured and integrated to reach a higher band level. Overall, the task is addressed with relevant information, meeting the basic requirements for this band.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, following a standard introduction, overview, and body paragraph structure. Cohesive devices such as "To begin with," "Meanwhile," and "Subsequently" are employed to sequence the information, although some transitions feel mechanical or slightly unnatural in context. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of details lacks seamless logical progression. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as shifting between past and present tense descriptions without smooth temporal links. Overall, the writing shows an identifiable structure, but cohesion and organization require more flexibility and precision.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is somewhat limited and includes inappropriate lexical choices for an academic description. Phrases like "previous ancient one" and "antique cafeteria" are unnatural when describing architectural plans of a modern college cafe. Other errors include "servicing area" instead of serving area, and "noticeably rejuvenated." While the candidate attempts less common vocabulary, word choice and collocations are frequently flawed, which places the response firmly in the Band 5 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical accuracy is weak throughout. There are noticeable errors in tense usage, article selection, and prepositional phrases, such as "significant variable can be observed between two genera cafteria," "designed with kitchen at the North-West corner," and "serving area is replaced with hot meals." Subject-verb agreement and word formation issues also appear regularly, for instance, "generacafteria" and "managed as it is." These frequent errors cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the text from achieving a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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