Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-06

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 two design layout illustrate a college cafe before and after redesigning.

The entry point of the cafe is at the same place even after the redesign as soon as you enter there is a bin to your left which has now been redesigned in to recycling bins as you move further left you will realize that the toilets have not been redesigned.

On the other hand if you keep moving forward from the entrance you will notice that the two rooms occupied by the staff dining have been converted into two separate facilities the coffee bar and the food take away respectively.

Meanwhile there is an addition of a salad bar on the left side of the cafe, from the salad bar to the left we have a kitchen that remains unchanged but next to it the serving area is now a hot meals station.

As we continue on moving along the toilets there is an addition of a door that leads to an outdoor seating area that also includes a barbecue and an other door which again leads to the salad bar these were not available before the redesign. The tables and chairs remain in the center of the cafe same as before the redesign.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to describe the changes shown in the two maps, addressing the overall task, but the coverage is somewhat uneven and lacks a proper overview. The writer focuses heavily on a step-by-step navigational approach ('as soon as you enter', 'if you keep moving forward'), which makes the response read more like a tour guide than an academic summary. Key changes, such as the overall transformation of the northern staff rooms into takeaway and coffee facilities, or the addition of the barbecue area, are mentioned, but the lack of an introductory overview paragraph prevents the response from reaching a higher level. To improve, the writer should outline the main broad changes at the beginning and group related features together logically rather than guiding the reader physically around the room.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a basic overall coherence in guiding the reader through the physical changes, but the organization is hindered by a lack of traditional paragraphing conventions for Task 1 reports. The writing relies heavily on narrative sequencing ('as soon as you enter', 'as you move further left', 'On the other hand', 'Meanwhile') rather than clear, structural comparison of the spatial layout. While paragraph breaks are present, they segment the text into a continuous conversational narrative rather than distinct thematic blocks. Furthermore, referencing is sometimes mechanical or imprecise. To achieve a higher score, the writer needs to adopt a more formal academic structure, ensuring logical progression from one area of the plan to another with smoother transitions and clearer overarching grouping.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, allowing the student to communicate basic spatial changes such as 'redesigned', 'facilities', and 'unchanged'. However, the range of vocabulary remains limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on basic functional verbs and directional phrases. There are some attempts at less common lexical items like 'converted' and 'recycling bins', but word choice can be imprecise, such as describing the layout changes with colloquial phrasing ('food take away' instead of 'takeaway food'). Spelling and word formation are generally accurate and do not impede communication, but to elevate the lexical score, the writer must incorporate a wider variety of precise, task-specific vocabulary and synonyms to describe architectural and spatial modifications.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. Many sentences are long, run-on constructions linked excessively by conjunctions and comma splices, such as '...a bin to your left which has now been redesigned in to recycling bins as you move further left you will realize that the toilets have not been redesigned.' Punctuation is largely neglected, with a complete absence of periods or commas to separate distinct clauses, which places a heavy burden on the reader. While there are some correct structures, frequent errors in sentence boundaries and punctuation persist throughout the text, keeping the grammatical score at this level.

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

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