Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19

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 6.0)

The maps illustrate how the college cafe has changed after it was redesigned.

Overall, the cafe underwent significant changes such as an outdoor seating and a barbecue area were added after redesigned. Meanwhile, staff dining room has been replaced by the coffee bar and food take away counter. However, the toilet and kitchen were remained on its original position after reconstruction.

Initially, the staff dining room was present in the indoor dining area infront of the main entrance, however this was later replaced by the coffee bar and food takeaway counter. Meanwhile, the food serving area situated next to the kitchen, was converted into the hot meals section. In addition, the salad bar section was also built on the left side of the cafe.

At outside, a large dining area and a barbecue section were added. By contrast, toilet and kitchen were remained on its original position. While, a single bin has been replaced by recycling bins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the main transformation and gives a clear overview: outdoor seating and a barbecue were added, the staff dining rooms were replaced, and the kitchen and toilets stayed in place. It also accurately reports the change from a general serving area to a hot-meals section, the new salad bar, and the replacement of the bin with recycling bins. This covers the key features well and shows some of the detail expected in a stronger response. However, several comparisons are only briefly stated: for example, the new outdoor area is not described as having tables, and the two new northern sections are not clearly distinguished as take-away food and a coffee bar. More precise coverage of these features would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the interior and then the exterior. Linking expressions such as “Meanwhile,” “In addition,” and “By contrast” help signal relationships between changes. However, some connections are mechanical or awkward, and the progression within the detail paragraphs could be clearer. The first detail paragraph combines the former staff rooms, serving counter, and salad bar without a consistent spatial route, while the final paragraph repeats that the kitchen and toilets remained unchanged. The contrast marker “By contrast” does not express a strong contrast in that sentence. Grouping changes by location and using more precise referencing would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a redesigned plan, including “replaced,” “converted,” “section,” and “recycling bins.” These choices communicate the main changes, and the writer attempts some variation rather than relying entirely on basic verbs. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “an outdoor seating,” “food take away counter,” and “at outside.” “Staff dining room” is also used in the singular even though the plan shows two rooms. More accurate collocations and consistent naming of the facilities would make the description clearer and more natural. The vocabulary is generally understandable, but these inaccuracies limit precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and more complex forms, including a relative clause in “the food serving area situated next to the kitchen” and contrast clauses beginning with “however” and “while.” The main meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “were remained” should be “remained” or “were kept,” and “such as an outdoor seating and a barbecue area were added” has a faulty sentence structure. There are also article and number issues in “staff dining room” and punctuation problems where “however” joins clauses. Aim to form complete, controlled sentences and check verb forms, articles, and clause boundaries.

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