Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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.

The plans below show a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

the map undermines a contrast between how it used to look befor it was redesigned and how it looks after the refurbishment.

The biggest improvement to the cafe is, bringing takeway feature. which makes it easier for those who want to enjoy their food at hoom. or perhaps in car. another feature is introdusing outdoor seating area. which is a claver move. there are some people who might wnt to enjoy their food outside while appreciating the nature.

there are some other small changes appear to be made. for example, there wasnt any services for coffe lovers, now it is avalible as well, other services like salad bar, barecues are new services. however kitchen, toilets and table and chairs remain same as before. these improvements beneficial for either side. the cafe appears to be much more convenient than how it was back then.

in conclusion, there is some significant developments are made, like introduction of coffee bar, than takeway, outdoor setting etc. somesmall changes like adding salad bar barbecue makes the cafe complete

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the broad contrast between the former café and its redesigned version, and you mention several genuine changes, including takeaway food, a coffee bar, a salad bar, outdoor seating and a barbecue. You also note that the kitchen, toilets and central tables and chairs remain. This covers the main idea, but some details are inaccurate or too general: the kitchen counter now serves hot meals, and the former single bin has become recycling bins, neither of which you report. The claim that takeaway food is for people eating at home or in a car is not shown by the plans. To make the overview more complete and precise, describe the main spatial changes and distinguish clearly between what was retained, replaced and added.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall progression from an opening comparison, through changes, to a concluding summary, and paragraph breaks help separate these stages. However, the organisation is sometimes weakened by sentence fragments and abrupt links, such as “which makes it easier…” and “or perhaps in car.” The repeated use of “there are” and “for example” also makes the connections feel mechanical, while “these improvements beneficial for either side” does not clearly refer to a specific comparison. Group the changes more systematically—for example, changes inside the café followed by the new outdoor area—and use complete sentences with clear references. This would make the progression easier to follow without changing the relevant content.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt vocabulary relevant to describing a redesign, including “refurbishment,” “introduction,” “outdoor seating area” and “salad bar.” However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the response difficult to interpret, including “takeway,” “hoom,” “claver,” “barecues” and “som esmall.” Some expressions are also imprecise for a plan description: “improvement” and “services” express an opinion rather than naming the physical changes, and “appreciating the nature” is not supported by the plan. Use accurate labels from the diagram and practise spelling them. More precise terms such as “counter,” “recycling bins” and “additional seating” would help you report the layout clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer structures, including “there are some people who might…” and “however kitchen, toilets and table and chairs remain same as before,” but control is inconsistent. Several clauses are fragments: “which makes it easier…” and “which is a claver move” do not form complete sentences in this context. There are also errors in verb forms and sentence structure, as in “there is some significant developments are made” and “these improvements beneficial.” Articles and plurals are often missing or inconsistent, for example “the cafe,” “a cafe,” and “table and chairs.” Aim first for complete, accurately formed sentences, then add complex clauses. Check subject–verb agreement, articles and punctuation when editing.

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