Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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 5.0)

The map iullustarte a college cafe which shows huge difference when it design and redesign again. Before, there is no outdoor seating and people have to seat inside. Toilets and recycling bins are in the same places where they are prior however now the cafe has four enterance gates. Tables and chairs are in the center of hall where they are prior but in addition salad bars are added in the hall. Nowdays, there are two rooms one rooms is served as coffee bar and other served as take away. In past both rooms are served as staff dining rooms. Kitchen is also in exact place as placed before. The only chnge in kitchen is that the table which is used for serving is now used as hot meals furthermore the redesign cafe has also added the barbecue section outside of the cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response partially addresses the task by identifying several key changes between the two maps, such as the addition of the salad bar, outdoor seating, and barbecue area, alongside the conversion of the staff dining rooms. However, the overview is missing, and the response falls short of the minimum 150-word requirement, totaling 143 words. Some comparisons lack precision, and certain details are under-developed or presented without a clear overall progression. To improve, you should include a clear overview paragraph summarising the main trends and ensure you meet the minimum word count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The text displays some basic organisation, but there is a lack of clear overall progression. The writing is presented as a single block paragraph rather than being structured into logical paragraphs, which hinders the readability of the response. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and repetitively (e.g., 'Before', 'however', 'Nowdays', 'In past'), and referencing is sometimes unclear, making the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, you must organise your response into distinct paragraphs—such as an introduction with an overview, followed by body paragraphs detailing specific spatial changes—and employ a wider variety of cohesive links naturally.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task, with noticeable lexical errors and spelling mistakes that cause some difficulty for the reader (e.g., 'iullustarte', 'enterance', 'chnge', 'Nowdays'). While there are attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary related to the maps, the range is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple descriptors. To improve lexical resource, you need to expand your range of vocabulary, use more precise synonyms for spatial changes (such as 'transformed', 'converted', or 'relocated'), and pay careful attention to accurate spelling and word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a very limited range of sentence structures, relying primarily on simple sentences with frequent grammatical errors. There are notable issues with verb tenses and forms (e.g., 'Before, there is no outdoor seating', 'one rooms is served', 'In past both rooms are served'), article usage, and subject-verb agreement. Attempts at complex or contrasting structures are often faulty, and frequent errors cause strain for the reader. To achieve a higher score, you should focus on diversifying your sentence structures and improving your control over tense consistency when describing past versus present states.

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

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