Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-13

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 provided plans illustrate a present Cafe design and its before redesign.

Overall, the cafe is composed of 4 main areas previously while now, it renovates with several areas.

At present, the Kitchen remains the same place although serving area which is attached to the kitchen is replaced by Hot meals. The staff dining rooms are also upgraded into Take away food and a Coffee bar although the main customer area where tables and chairs are place remain the same. The salad bar is added to the left side corner of the building where the door way is also put next to it. The Recycling bin also has to be increased as the bulding is renovating. Two doorways are placed to access outdoor area where the customers can have barbecue and experience the outdoor experiences.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the kitchen staying in place, the serving counter becoming a hot-meals area, the staff rooms being replaced by takeaway and coffee facilities, and new outdoor access. However, the overview is unclear: “4 main areas previously” does not explain the main contrast between the original indoor layout and the expanded facilities today. Some details are inaccurate or vague: the salad bar is along the western wall, not specifically in a corner beside a doorway, and the recycling bins replace the single bin rather than being “increased.” The outdoor area includes seating and a barbecue, but customers are not described as having a barbecue experience. The response is also 15 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail and coverage of the plans. Include the toilets’ unchanged position and describe the outdoor seating more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence: it introduces the plans, gives an overall statement, and then describes changes inside and outside the café. Linking words such as “Overall,” “although,” and “where” help connect some information. However, the progression is not consistently clear, and several ideas are crowded into one long paragraph. The repeated use of “although” creates awkward contrasts, while “The Recycling bin also has to be increased as the bulding is renovating” interrupts the description without clearly explaining the change. Organise the report into distinct paragraphs for the overview, internal changes, and outdoor additions. Use clearer references and transitions so readers can follow the layout from one area to another.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing plans, including “remains,” “replaced,” “added,” and “access,” which helps communicate the main changes. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or unnatural for a map description. “The cafe is composed of 4 main areas” does not clearly convey the layout, and “the customers can have barbecue and experience the outdoor experiences” is repetitive and awkward. “The Recycling bin” also misrepresents the label, which is plural, and “bulding” is misspelled. Aim for precise spatial and change-related language, such as “along the western wall,” “converted into,” and “outdoor seating area.” Avoid repeating general words such as “area” when a more specific label is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentences, for example, “At present, the Kitchen remains the same place although serving area … is replaced by Hot meals,” and you use subordinate clauses to connect changes. However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to interpret. In “Overall, the cafe is composed of 4 main areas previously while now, it renovates,” the time contrast and verb construction are faulty. “The main customer area where tables and chairs are place remain the same” has problems with the relative clause, verb form, and agreement. Articles and tense choices also need attention, as in “although serving area … is replaced.” Use the past tense for the former plan and present tense for the current one, and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.