Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-15

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)

Redesign of a College Café Layout

The two diagrams illustrate the layout changes in a college cafe before and after its redesign.

Overall, the cafe has been reconfigured to improve functionality and customer flow, with a shift from staff-focused spaces to more diverse customer services and expanded outdoor seating.

In the original layout, the kitchen was adjacent to a single serving area handling all food and drink, while staff dining rooms occupied a central position near the main seating zone. Toilets and a bin were placed at opposite ends.

After redesign, the serving area is replaced by specialised zones: a hot meals counter, a salad bar, a coffee bar, and a dedicated take-away food section - indicating a move toward self-service and efficiency. The staff dining rooms are eliminated entirely. A new barbecue area is added outside, and outdoor seating is significantly expanded (five sets shown, versus none previously). Additionally, the bin is replaced by a clearly labelled recycling bin, reflecting updated environmental practices.

Crucially, the main tables-and-chairs area remains central but is now more open and accessible, supporting both indoor and outdoor dining integration.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all key features of the cafe redesign. You have successfully identified the main changes, such as the shift from a single serving area to specialized counters, the removal of staff rooms, and the expansion of outdoor seating. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the transformation. You have made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states, such as noting the change from a bin to a recycling bin and the increase in outdoor seating sets. The information is well-selected and highlights the most significant structural and functional changes, meeting the requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and well-structured body paragraphs that contrast the original and redesigned layouts. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving logically from the general layout to specific functional changes. Cohesive devices such as 'In the original layout', 'After redesign', and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the description of the two stages, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the comparison.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes with precision. Terms such as 'reconfigured', 'specialised zones', 'functionality', and 'environmental practices' are used accurately and appropriately in context. The language is natural and demonstrates a good level of control. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be slightly more ambitious to reach the highest band, perhaps by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or nuanced descriptive language regarding the spatial arrangement. Nevertheless, the current range is more than adequate for the task and conveys the information clearly.

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 'The two diagrams illustrate...' and 'The serving area is replaced by specialised zones: a hot meals counter...'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you show flexibility in your sentence construction. To reach a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as using more passive voice constructions or advanced subordinating conjunctions to link ideas even more fluidly.

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

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