Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The map diagram compares the layout of a college cafe before refurbishment and at present after redevelopment.

Overall, the building has undergone significant redevelopment, with the addition of new commercial facilities. The indoor staff dining rooms has been transformed into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar, whereas the outdoor seating and a barbecue corner has been introduced.

Before renovation, there was a large area designated for indoor seating at the centre of the map, and two rooms for the staff dining infront of the entrance. The bin had been placed adjacent to an entrance, with toilets at its far corner. The space for kitchen had been allocated at the top of map, containing serving area for food and drink nearby.

At present, the bin has been replaced by recycling bins, whereas the staff dining rooms has been removed and replaced by a takeaway food and a coffee bar. The area dedicated for servings has been changed into hot meals, while there is an addition of outdoor seating with rectangular tables and a proper section for barbecue. The tables and chairs at the middle of the cafe remained intact, with the introdution of salad bar at the western side. The place for the kitchen and the toilets remained the same.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and highlighting the key changes between the two floor plans. The main features, such as the transformation of the staff dining rooms into a takeaway area and a coffee bar, the addition of outdoor seating, and the new salad bar, are accurately reported and compared. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-supported with specific references to the diagrams, demonstrating a solid understanding of the visual data. To reach a higher level, the response could extend its descriptions slightly further, perhaps by integrating more precise spatial relationships or proportions to provide an even more thorough overview of the structural modifications.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay presents a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped sensibly, beginning with an introductory overview, followed by the general changes, a description of the past layout, and finally the current layout. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate these distinct aspects of the visual data. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'Before renovation', and 'At present' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the comparison, though a slightly more varied use of cohesive transitions would enhance the flow even further and eliminate any mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, providing sufficient range to describe changes and features accurately. The student attempts less common vocabulary items and phrases, such as 'undergone significant redevelopment', 'refurbishment', and 'remained intact'. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'for servings' instead of 'for serving' or 'servings', and minor awkwardness in phrasing like 'infront of the entrance'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, allowing the response to fully meet the requirements of this band while laying the groundwork for a more precise lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('The indoor staff dining rooms has' instead of 'have'), incorrect tense choices in past descriptions ('had been placed' where simple past 'was placed' is more appropriate), and missing articles ('at middle of the cafe'). However, these errors rarely impede communication, and the sentence structures remain comprehensible. To achieve a higher band, the student needs greater consistency in grammatical accuracy across complex structures and fewer errors in basic agreement and tense formation.

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

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