Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-31
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 8.5)
The two diagrams compare the layout changes in a college cafe before and after its renovation.
Overall, the cafe has become more modern and convenient. Several new food service areas were added, while the staff dining rooms were replaced by takeaway food and a coffee bar. In addition, outdoor seating, barbecue and recycling bins were introduced.
Before the redesign, the kitchen was located in the top left corner, with one serving area for all food and drinks in front of it. On the right side, there was one bin near the entrance, and the toilets were in the bottom right corner.
After the redesign, the kitchen remained in the same place, but the serving area was replaced by a hot meals counter. The two staff dining rooms were removed and changed into a take-away food section and a coffee bar. Additionally, a salad bar and a barbecue area were also added on the left side of the café. Furthermore, the main seating area inside stayed in the centre, while a new outdoor seating area was built at the front of the café. Finally, the single bin was replaced with recycling bins, although the toilets remained in the same location.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main changes, such as the modernization of the cafe and the addition of new service areas. You successfully identified key features, including the transformation of the staff dining rooms and the addition of outdoor facilities. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is logical and well-supported by specific details from the diagrams. The information is accurate, and the report is well-structured, covering all significant changes without omitting major details. This meets the criteria for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs that detail the changes chronologically and spatially. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Before the redesign', 'After the redesign', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific details. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The use of cohesive devices is natural and contributes to the overall flow of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Terms like 'renovation', 'modern', 'convenient', 'replaced', and 'introduced' are used correctly and in the right context. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated synonyms or collocations to describe spatial changes (e.g., 'undergone a transformation', 'reconfigured', or 'situated'). However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences that combine information effectively (e.g., 'Before the redesign, the kitchen was located in the top left corner, with one serving area for all food and drinks in front of it'). Grammar is generally accurate, with consistent use of past and present tenses to reflect the 'before' and 'after' states. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list items. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over sentence construction is strong throughout the piece.
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