Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 provided pair of maps illustrates the changes made to the layout of a café before its redesign and at present.

Overall, it is clear that the café underwent significant redevelopment, with several new facilities being introduced and some existing areas being removed or converted. While the kitchen, main seating area and toilets remained largely unchanged, the former staff dining rooms were replaced by facilities for customers.

Looking first at the northern section, the kitchen remained in the same position, although the former serving area was converted into a hot-meals section. The two staff dining rooms located beside the kitchen were demolished to make way for a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. In addition, the main tables and chairs in the central area remained unchanged.

Turning to the remaining areas, several new facilities were added. A salad bar was constructed along the western side, while a barbecue area was introduced in the southwestern corner. Furthermore, outdoor seating was added along the southern side of the café. On the eastern side, the former bin was replaced by recycling bins, whereas the toilets remained in the southeastern corner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the significant changes and successfully selected and reported the main features of the cafe redesign. The comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states are accurate and well-integrated. You have successfully identified the key structural changes, such as the conversion of staff dining rooms into customer facilities and the addition of new amenities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. The information is logically grouped, and the report is fully developed, meeting all criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Looking first at', 'Turning to the remaining areas', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and specific details. Each paragraph has a clear focus, which helps the reader follow the description of the layout changes easily. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily track the changes described.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and layout changes. Words and phrases such as 'redevelopment', 'demolished', 'constructed', and 'converted' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is precise and natural, contributing to a professional tone. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or synonyms for 'added' or 'remained' could further enhance the lexical variety. Overall, the range is more than adequate for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of 'while' clauses and relative clauses to provide additional information. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses, particularly the past tense used to describe the changes, is consistent and correct. The writing is clear, fluent, and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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