Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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 map illustrates the changes made to a University Cafe following its recent renovation.

Overall, the layout has been modernized to accomodate more seating and a wider variety of dining options, with several dedicated food stations replacing the older, simpler setup.

In the original design, the central space was dominated by a large dining area filled with tables and chairs. The northern section contained two private dining rooms for staff, while the kitchen and a combined food and drinks counter were situated in the north-west corner. However, toilets were located in the south-east corner, directly opposite a single dustbin.

Following the reconstruction, the overall seating area has been expanded, and an outdoor dining area featuring a barbecue corner has been introduced. The former staff dining rooms have been replaced by a takeaway food counter and a coffee bar along the northern wall. In addition, the original counter and kitchen area have been reconfigured into a dedicated hot meals section with a kitchen positioned behind it. Although, the single trash bin has been upgraded to a set of recycling bins on the western side, while a new salad bar has been installed directly opposite.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have provided a clear and accurate summary of the changes between the two cafe layouts. You successfully identified the main features, such as the expansion of the seating area, the introduction of the outdoor barbecue, and the reconfiguration of the kitchen and food stations. The overview is effective, and you have made relevant comparisons throughout the response. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the information is well-selected to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure that every minor detail mentioned in the prompt is accounted for, though your current coverage is already very strong.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from an introduction and overview to a detailed description of the 'before' and 'after' states. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate these distinct sections. Cohesive devices such as 'In the original design', 'Following the reconstruction', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader through the changes. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the different areas of the cafe is clearly articulated. The structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and layouts, such as 'reconfigured', 'modernized', 'dedicated', and 'situated'. The terminology used to describe the cafe features is precise. There is one minor spelling error ('accomodate' should be 'accommodate'), but this does not impede communication. You show an awareness of style and collocation, which allows for a natural and professional tone. To improve further, you could incorporate a few more sophisticated synonyms for spatial descriptions to enhance the variety of your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although, the single trash bin has been upgraded...') and passive voice constructions ('...were situated in the north-west corner'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is generally sound. There is a minor error with the use of 'Although' at the start of the final sentence, which is a conjunction and should not be followed by a comma in that context. However, these are rare slips and do not affect the overall clarity of your writing.

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

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