Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10

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 7.5)

The two plans illustrate how a college café was redesigned and how it looks at present.

Overall, the café underwent significant modernisation over the period. Several new facilities were introduced, while some existing features, including the kitchen, toilets, and seating area, remained unchanged.

On the northern side of the café, the serving area was replaced by a hot meals section, whereas the kitchen remained in the same location. In the centre of the café, the two staff dining rooms were converted into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. In addition, a salad bar was added along the western wall.

In the southern part of the café, the tables and chairs inside the building remained unchanged. However, a barbecue area with outdoor seating was constructed outside the café. On the eastern side, the bin was replaced with a recycling bin, while the toilets remained in their original position. Furthermore, two new doors were added to provide access to the outdoor seating area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the changes and successfully identified the main features of the redesign, such as the conversion of the staff dining rooms and the addition of the outdoor barbecue area. The information is accurate and well-selected, allowing the reader to easily visualise the transformation. You have made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states, such as noting that the kitchen remained unchanged while the serving area was replaced. The report is well-structured and covers all significant developments without omitting key details, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organised, with a clear progression from the general overview to specific details categorized by location (northern, central, southern, and eastern sides). The use of cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'in addition', 'however', and 'furthermore' is effective and helps the reader follow the description smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the cafe, which enhances the overall readability. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking. The structure is coherent and supports the clear presentation of the visual data.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Terms such as 'modernisation', 'converted', 'constructed', and 'original position' are used appropriately in the context of describing plans. The language is precise and fits the academic tone required for Task 1. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band; for instance, using more varied verbs for change (e.g., 'transformed', 'reconfigured', 'dismantled') would further enhance the lexical variety. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'In the centre of the café, the two staff dining rooms were converted into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar.' The use of passive voice is appropriate for describing changes to a layout. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the punctuation is accurate throughout. The sentences are clear and error-free, showing a high level of control. The writing is fluent and demonstrates the ability to use complex structures with ease.

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

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