Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-30

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 diagrams demonstrate a institute cafe before redesign and the way it look at present. It is evident that the outside of a cafe of southern side is also utilised now.

The northwest area was coverd by kitchen which remained unchanged except one corner of kitchen of serving area is now replaced with hot meal. Opposite to kitchen there was empty space which is now utilised as salad bar. The big hall where tables and chairs were placed before remained unchanged and there are two room which were utilised as dinning area before. Now they are replaced with coffee bar and take away food.

In eastern areas there was a entry gate which remained unchange just beside entry gate toward left there was a bin placed wihch is now converted into recycling bins just beside that toilets were constructed wich also remained unchanged.

The most amazing part is now outside southern areas utilised in one cornerbarbecue introduced with outer seating opposite to it

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main change clearly in the overview: the café now uses the southern exterior for seating, and several internal facilities have been reorganised. You also report the kitchen, central tables and chairs, toilets, and the replacement of the staff dining rooms with a coffee bar and takeaway area. These are relevant comparisons and address the task. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the salad bar is on the western wall, not simply “opposite to kitchen,” and the entrance is on the eastern wall, while the bin/recycling bins are below it. The outdoor seating and barbecue are mentioned but not described clearly, and the two new southern doors are omitted. More precise coverage of these changes would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the western/northern areas, the east, and the new outdoor space. This gives the reader a basic route through the plan, and phrases such as “remained unchanged” help compare the two layouts. However, progression is weakened by unclear references and awkward links, particularly “Opposite to kitchen” and “just beside that toilets,” which make locations difficult to follow. The final sentence is also compressed and does not clearly distinguish the barbecue from the outdoor seating. Use clearer location-based sequencing and complete sentences, with linking phrases such as “Along the western wall” and “To the south of the building,” to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant plan vocabulary, including “remained unchanged,” “replaced,” “recycling bins,” and “outdoor seating,” which helps communicate the main transformations. There is also an attempt to vary wording rather than repeat “changed.” However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for describing a floor plan: “entry gate” is better expressed as “entrance,” “converted into recycling bins” suggests a physical conversion, and “the most amazing part” is too subjective for an academic report. Spelling errors such as “coverd,” “dinning,” and “wich” also reduce accuracy. Aim for neutral, precise terms for locations and changes, and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “the hall where tables and chairs were placed before,” and most of the intended comparisons can be understood. However, errors in articles, agreement, tense, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some passages awkward. For example, “a institute cafe” needs “an,” “the way it look” needs subject–verb agreement, and “there are two room” needs a plural noun. The sentence beginning “The northwest area was coverd by kitchen” also has an incorrect passive form and missing article. Practise accurate past-versus-present comparisons and check each sentence for a clear subject and verb; this will make your range of structures more effective.

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

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