Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-06

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 7.0)

The plans compare the layout of a college café before it was redesigned and how it looks today.

From the first glimpse of the map, it is abundantly clear that before the renovation, the kitchen was situated in the upper-left corner, with a single serving area offering both food and drinks directly below it. Most of the café was occupied by tables and chairs, while two staff dining rooms were located in the centre-right of the building. In addition, the toilets were positioned in the bottom-right corner near the entrance.

Moving further, Following the redesign, the kitchen remained in the same location, although the serving area was converted into a hot meals section. A new salad bar was introduced along the left-hand side, while the former staff dining rooms were replaced by a takeaway food counter and a coffee bar. Furthermore, an express coffee counter was added near the entrance. The seating area inside was retained, and a large outdoor seating area was created along the front of the café. The toilets stayed in the same position.

Overall, the café has undergone a significant modernisation. The staff dining rooms have been replaced with takeaway and coffee facilities, a new outdoor seating area has been added, and the serving system has been reorganised to provide more services while keeping the kitchen and toilets in their original locations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the café before and after the redesign, such as the relocation of the serving area and the addition of the outdoor seating. The comparison is clear, and the overview provides a concise summary of the key changes. You have selected relevant information and presented it in a logical manner, ensuring that the reader can easily visualize the transformation. The inclusion of specific details like the 'hot meals section' and 'express coffee counter' demonstrates a thorough understanding of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction sets the context, the body paragraphs detail the 'before' and 'after' states, and the conclusion provides a synthesis. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'in addition', 'moving further', 'furthermore', and 'overall' to link your ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow the narrative of the changes. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-read report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Phrases like 'abundantly clear', 'undergone a significant modernisation', and 'retained' demonstrate a good level of lexical control. While the vocabulary is generally appropriate and precise, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or varied synonyms to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of repeating 'located' or 'positioned', you could use 'situated', 'housed', or 'accommodated'. Overall, the vocabulary is accurate and effectively conveys the intended meaning without any errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The plans compare the layout of a college café before it was redesigned and how it looks today.' There are very few errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The use of passive voice ('was redesigned', 'was occupied', 'were replaced') is appropriate for a report of this nature. The sentence structures are varied and contribute to the overall clarity of the writing. There are no significant grammatical issues that hinder the reader's understanding.

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