Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11

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.

The plans below show a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

The following maps illustrate a before and after comparative analysis of college cafe layout. It depicts the changes made through the redesigning process.

Overall, the area of the cafe has been expanded alongside major developments. Facilities for varied food options have also been introduced.

To begin with, while the kitchen area remains unchanged, the serving area has been replaced by an enclosed area for hot meals. Additionally, the staff dining room has been reconstructed, and the area is now divided in two equal halves - with take away food counter on one, and coffee bar on the other side.

Furthermore, while the space designated to table and chairs remain the same, an additional salad bar has been added towards the west. Moreover, the bin area has also developed into a significantly larger recycling waste compound on the east.

Finally, it can be observed that the area has expanded, and a provision for outdoor seating along with barbecue has been established, which can be accessed from the gates on the south of space where tables and chairs have been arranged.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the cafe redesign. You have provided a clear overview and highlighted key changes such as the new hot meal area, the outdoor seating, and the recycling compound. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is consistent throughout the report. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial descriptions are precise; for instance, you mention the kitchen remains unchanged, but the plans show it has been modified to include a serving hatch. Additionally, ensure that all labels from the diagram are integrated accurately to provide a more comprehensive summary of the spatial transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow a thematic progression. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through the changes. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different areas of the cafe. The flow of information is generally smooth, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, using terms like 'redesigning process', 'reconstructed', 'designated', and 'provision'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is generally successful. However, there are minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'area has developed into a significantly larger recycling waste compound' (a compound is usually 'established' or 'created' rather than 'developed'). Despite these minor inaccuracies, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly throughout the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. You demonstrate good control over grammar, with many error-free sentences. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'with take away food counter on one' (missing an article: 'a take-away food counter') and 'south of space' (missing a determiner: 'the south of the space'). These errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication. The use of passive voice to describe the changes is appropriate for this task type. Overall, your grammatical control is strong and supports the clarity of your writing.

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

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