Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The given map illustrates the changes in the college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Overall, it is clear that more out door seating is added. In the lower-left corner the barbecue area has constructed and also in the left side of the cafe salad bar added.

The staff dining rooms has been replaced with left side takeaway food and right side coffee bar. Changed the bin into the recycling bin. In the left outer side barbecue area and inner left side salad bar is also constructed. In kitchen, the serving area is replaced with hot meals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several genuine changes, including the new outdoor seating and barbecue, the salad bar, the replacement of the staff dining rooms, and the change from a general serving area to hot meals. However, the report is substantially incomplete: it contains 90 words, below the required 150, and the short length leaves important features unreported, such as the toilets remaining in place, the central tables and chairs, and the new takeaway and coffee-bar sections in clearer detail. The overview is also limited, and the barbecue is repeated rather than used to develop a fuller comparison. Aim to cover the main changes systematically and include a concise overview of what stayed the same as well as what was added or repurposed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has a basic sequence: an introduction, an overview beginning “Overall,” and then several changes. This gives the reader some sense of the topic, but the progression is difficult to follow because the details are compressed into a short, loosely connected paragraph. The barbecue and salad bar are mentioned twice, and “In the left outer side” does not clearly connect to the preceding information. There are few linking expressions to show how the old and new layouts relate. Organise the report into clear paragraphs—for example, an overview followed by grouped changes inside and outside the café—and use precise references such as “in the former staff dining area” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant layout vocabulary, including “staff dining rooms,” “recycling bin,” “salad bar,” and “serving area,” so the reader can identify several features. However, the range is limited and some phrases are inaccurate or awkward, such as “more out door seating is added,” “left side takeaway food,” and “the barbecue area has constructed.” “Changed the bin into the recycling bin” is also an imprecise way to describe the change in the facility. Use more exact map language, such as “was added,” “was replaced by,” “along the western wall,” and “outdoor seating area.” Check spelling and word forms, including “outdoor” as one word and “café” consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response communicates some basic comparisons, but sentence structures are mostly simple and several grammatical errors make relationships unclear. For example, “The staff dining rooms has been replaced” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the barbecue area has constructed” is missing the passive form “been.” In “salad bar added” and “Changed the bin into the recycling bin,” the clauses lack complete verb structures. The opening sentence is understandable, but there is little variety beyond basic statements. Practise complete passive constructions for map changes (“A salad bar was added”) and ensure subjects, verbs, and articles agree. Longer, carefully controlled sentences would also help you compare several related changes.

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

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