Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-17

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows a town square and surrounding area in 2014 and the plans for development of the area to be completed by 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The two maps illustrate the layout of a town square and the surrounding area in 2014, together with the proposed redevelopment to be completed by 2020.

Overall, the area was planned to become more commercial and recreational. Several existing facilities were to be replaced or converted, while the town hall and fountain were retained. New amenities, including shops, restaurants, seating areas and a children’s playground, were also proposed.

In 2014, a fish market was situated in the north-western part of the square, with a history museum and library along the western side. A fish restaurant and a bar occupied the southern side, while the town hall stood in the north-east. Administrative buildings were located along the eastern edge. In the centre of the square were a fountain and a bandstand.

Under the 2020 plan, the fish market was to be replaced by a supermarket, while the history museum was set to become a local artists’ gallery. The bandstand was to be removed and replaced by landscaped plant beds. Although the fountain would remain, additional recreational features, such as covered seating and a children’s playground, were to be introduced nearby. The eastern administrative buildings were planned to be converted into shops, while a larger number of bars and restaurants would occupy much of the southern side of the square. The town hall, however, was expected to remain unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task. The response provides a clear overview highlighting the main trends—specifically, that the area was planned to become more commercial and recreational. Key features from both the 2014 map and the 2020 proposed plan are accurately reported and compared, such as the replacement of the fish market with a supermarket and the conversion of administrative buildings into shops. The spatial descriptions (north-west, south, centre) are precise and correctly reflect the provided visual data without introducing any extraneous or inaccurate details. Ideas are well selected and supported throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear progression throughout the response. The essay is appropriately divided into four well-structured paragraphs, moving from an introductory overview to general changes, specific 2014 features, and finally the 2020 developments. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively (e.g., 'Overall', 'In 2014', 'Under the 2020 plan', 'Although the fountain would remain'), ensuring that the relationships between ideas are clear without any mechanical or obtrusive referencing.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items are used naturally and skilfully, such as 'redevelopment', 'converted', 'landscaped', and 'recreational'. Word choices and collocations are accurate (e.g., 'occupied the southern side', 'remain unchanged'), and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, allowing the message to be communicated with complete clarity and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used effectively and flexibly throughout the response (e.g., 'Several existing facilities were to be replaced or converted, while the town hall and fountain were retained'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and the student demonstrates excellent control of grammar, tense consistency (appropriately handling future-in-the-past constructions for planned changes), and punctuation. Only occasional minor slips could distinguish this from a top-tier band, but overall control is exemplary.

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

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