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)

so we have two different diagrams illustrating the before and after the redesigning of college cafe. the first diagram depicts the structure of cafe before redesigning and the description of it suggest that in the kitchen area which is connected to the left corner of the tables and chair area had a serving area which is now redesigned and replaced with hot meals area.

if we come to the main area which is called table and chair we have observed that the staff dining rooms which were at the top middle of the table and chair area is divided into two different rooms with different purpose like first room is assigned for take away foods while the second room is transformed into coffee bar.

the toilet area is at the place it was there is no change in toilet area but the bin area near the toilet is expanded and changed by recycling bins.

on the opposite side of recycling bin area there is a newly build area called sealed bar which was not available in the previous design.

moreover a new section barbecue is introduced in the redesign you can get there if you go out by the door of table and chair area on the right of the sealed bar. furthermore there is newly formed area called outdoor seating which is adjecent to barbecue area where you can enjoy the outdoor environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several important changes, including the kitchen counter becoming a hot-meals area, the former staff rooms becoming takeaway and coffee facilities, and the toilets remaining in place. However, the account only partially covers the plans and includes significant misreadings. The new western feature is a salad bar, not a “sealed bar,” and the recycling bins replace the single bin rather than expanding that area. You also place the new outdoor access on the right, whereas two doors lead from the southern wall, and the barbecue is southwest of the building. A clear overview of the main changes, followed by accurate descriptions of the new western and southern features, would make the report more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence: it moves from the kitchen to the central area, then to the toilets and new outdoor facilities. Linking phrases such as “if we come to,” “moreover,” and “furthermore” help signal progression, and the ideas are grouped into paragraphs. However, the organisation is somewhat mechanical, and the long opening sentence makes the relationship between the kitchen and seating area difficult to follow. References such as “on the opposite side” and “there” are also unclear, especially because the locations are not described accurately. Use a concise overview first, then organise details by area—north, west, east, and south—and use precise location phrases to make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of terms for describing changes and locations, including “transformed,” “introduced,” “adjacent,” and “redesigned.” These attempts help communicate the comparison, but several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward. “Sealed bar” misnames the salad bar, while “the bin area … is expanded” does not accurately describe the change to recycling bins. Phrases such as “the description of it suggest” and “newly formed area” are also unnatural. Spelling errors, including “adjecent,” are noticeable. Aim for precise plan vocabulary and standard collocations, such as “was replaced by,” “was added along the western wall,” and “is located to the southwest.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is some variety in sentence forms, including relative clauses and time contrasts, as in “which is now redesigned and replaced with hot meals area.” However, some sentences are difficult to control because clauses are joined without clear punctuation, particularly the opening sentence and the sentence beginning “if we come to the main area.” There are also recurring errors with articles, agreement, and tense: “the description … suggest” should use a singular verb, and “the toilet area is at the place it was there” needs a clearer structure. Capitalisation and sentence punctuation are inconsistent. Build shorter, complete sentences and check subject–verb agreement, articles, and past-versus-present forms; this would make the comparisons clearer while retaining your attempts at complex grammar.

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