Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-02

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 8.0)

The maps provided illustrate a college cafe before and after redesigning it. Overall, the cafe has undergone significant developments, with many original features being removed or replaced. Today, the cafe has expanded its vicinity by introducing facilities such as outdoor seating, a Salad bar, and a Barbecue corner, while the toilets, furniture, and Kitchen remain unchanged.

Before renovation the cafe had a combined staff dining area which has now been replaced by a separate coffee bar and a food take away. Along with this, the current spot for Hot meals previously used to be a Serving area for food and beverages. On the other hand, there were some additions as well such as the construction of a Salad bar situated at the extreme west of recycling bins. As a result, the Salad bar reduced the space occupied by the Tables and Chairs but the overall dimensions of the cafe are still identical to the old plan. Furthermore, the outdoor set up comprises of five dining tables and a Barbecue area located at the south of tables and chairs. Lastly, the bin has also been replaced by a much larger one for recycling purposes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have provided a clear overview of the changes and successfully identified the main features of the cafe redesign. You effectively contrasted the 'before' and 'after' states, such as the replacement of the staff dining area with a coffee bar and takeaway. The inclusion of new features like the outdoor seating and barbecue area is well-noted. To reach a higher band, ensure that all comparisons are precise; for instance, you mentioned the kitchen remains unchanged, but the plan shows the kitchen layout was actually modified. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task well and provided a logical summary of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction followed by body paragraphs that group information thematically. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Along with this', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the general overview from the specific details. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing is generally clear. To improve, ensure that transitions between sentences are always natural; occasionally, the flow feels slightly mechanical, but the overall structure is very coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'undergone significant developments', 'vicinity', and 'identical'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for a report on visual data. There are some minor issues with capitalization (e.g., 'Salad bar', 'Barbecue corner', 'Kitchen') which are unnecessary. You also use some less common items effectively. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to spatial descriptions and avoid inconsistent capitalization. Overall, your lexical control is good and allows for clear communication of the information presented in the plans.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Before renovation the cafe had a combined staff dining area which has now been replaced...'. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of tense is generally consistent when describing the changes. There are a few minor punctuation and capitalization errors, such as the missing comma after 'Before renovation' and the inconsistent capitalization of 'Kitchen' and 'Salad bar'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. Your grammar is strong enough to support the clear expression of your ideas throughout the report.

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