Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 map illustrates how a college cafe looks before and now after redesigned.

Overall several changes took place in map of cafe. Staff dining rooms were replaced by coffee bars,take away foods. Outside the cafe the barbecue and outdoor seating were made.Some of the settings doesnt change and remain same at their place.

In map the kitchen, placement of table and chair inside the cafe ,the placement of bin, and the place where the toilets were same.There is a minor change in serving area at first all food and drinks are available in serving area in before map but after redesigned only hot meals are available as shown in map.In the east of cafe the salad bar was made after redesigned.

Outside the cafe there were a arrangement of sitting and the barbeque side were made which extend the length of area of cafe and make it more wider,making more space for the visitors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main overall changes: the former staff dining rooms become takeaway and coffee facilities, and outdoor seating with a barbecue is added. You also note that the kitchen, central tables and chairs, and toilets remain. These are relevant features and give the response a clear overview. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the salad bar is on the western wall, not “in the east,” and the bin’s position is retained but it becomes recycling bins. The description of the new outdoor area is also general, and important changes such as the added southern doors and the salad bar’s location could be reported more precisely. Develop the comparisons with clearer spatial detail and distinguish what is unchanged from what has been modified.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an opening, an overview, and further details about the interior and exterior. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison, and phrases such as “Overall” and “In the east of cafe” signal how ideas relate. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear references and awkward links. For example, “Some of the settings doesnt change” does not clearly identify which features are meant, while the final paragraph repeats the outdoor changes already mentioned in the overview without adding much detail. Organise the body more systematically—for example, describe the interior changes together, then the outdoor additions—and use clear references such as “the former bin location” to connect comparisons.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a plan, including “replaced,” “serving area,” “outdoor seating,” and “visitors.” This shows an adequate task-related range, and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive: “the place where the toilets were same,” “the barbecue side,” and “extend the length of area” do not express the layout naturally. There are also spelling and word-form issues, including “barbeque” and “take away foods.” Aim for precise plan vocabulary and natural combinations, such as “located,” “area,” and “facilities,” and avoid repeating “made” when describing additions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “but” and a participle phrase in “making more space for the visitors.” The overall message can usually be understood, but grammatical control is uneven. Examples include “before and now after redesigned,” “Some of the settings doesnt change,” and “the kitchen … were same,” which show problems with tense, agreement, and sentence construction. Articles and punctuation also need attention, as in “In map” and the missing space after the comma in “coffee bars,take away foods.” Use consistent past-tense forms to compare the plans, check subject–verb agreement, and build shorter, complete sentences before adding more complex structures.

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

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