Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17

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 plans illustrates a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it look it now.

Overall,the main changes in cafe is outdoor seating and take away food.The look of cafe changed after redesigning.

Kitchen is on the same place and the serving area is changed into hot meals.Before redesigning the cafe dining rooms for staff is available but now the place of staff dining room is changed into cafe away food and coffe bar.Tabels and chairs are on the same place.Before redesigning the cafe there is a simple bin but after redesigning there is a recycling bin. Toilets are on the same place.Outdoor seating is not available in cafe earlier then next there is outdoor place for custumers. Outdoor seating is more prefer than indoor seating. There is also a barbecue area in the left side of outdooe seating.

In conclusion, the major changes in cafe are outdoor seating , barbecue area ,take away food,recycling bin and also aplace of coffe bar.

These changes in cafe changed the overall look of cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the new outdoor seating and barbecue, the conversion of the staff dining rooms into takeaway and coffee areas, and the continued locations of the kitchen and toilets. This gives the reader a basic comparison of the two plans. However, the overview is vague: “The look of cafe changed” does not clearly summarise the main pattern of redevelopment. Some details are inaccurate or unsupported, particularly “Outdoor seating is more prefer than indoor seating”; the plans show outdoor seating was added, not that it is preferred. You also omit the new salad bar and the two southern doors. A clearer overview and more precise reporting of the changes would make the response more complete. (The required length was met.)

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: it begins with an introduction and overview, then compares individual features, and ends with a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the general subject. However, the progression is weakened by placing many changes in one long paragraph, with ideas joined mainly by “and,” “but,” and repeated “before redesigning.” The overview and conclusion also repeat the same general point rather than adding distinct information. Some links are unclear, as in “Outdoor seating is not available in cafe earlier then next there is outdoor place.” Organise the comparison into clearer paragraphs—for example, changes inside the café and additions outside—and use precise time contrasts such as “previously” and “now.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “kitchen,” “serving area,” “recycling bin,” “toilets,” and “barbecue,” so the main subject is generally understandable. There is some attempt to describe change with phrases such as “changed into” and “the same place.” However, the range is limited and several expressions are inaccurate or awkward, including “cafe away food,” “more prefer,” and “a place of coffe bar.” Spelling errors such as “Tabels,” “coffe,” and “outdooe” also reduce precision. Use the labels from the plan accurately and choose natural map-description phrases, such as “was replaced by,” “was added,” and “remained in the same position.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple statements and comparisons, and the reader can usually identify the intended changes. However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. For example, “The plans illustrates” has subject–verb disagreement, while “how it look it now” has an incorrect verb form and sentence structure. Articles and plurals are also often missing or inconsistent, as in “in cafe” and “dining rooms for staff is available.” The sentence beginning “Outdoor seating is not available…” is difficult to interpret because its comparison is not grammatically formed. Practise accurate present and past forms, agreement, and complete comparison structures, such as “The staff dining rooms were replaced by a takeaway area and a coffee bar.”

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.