Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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 plan illustrates the changes made to a college café before and after its redesign.

Overall, the café has been significantly modernised. The main modifications include the removal of the staff dining rooms, the introduction of separate takeaway and coffee areas, and a complete reorientation of the customer seating space. However, the kitchen remained in its original location throughout the renovation.

Before the redesign, the kitchen was situated in the upper left corner of the café, with a serving area for hot food and drinks positioned directly below it. In the centre of the room were two small staff dining rooms, each containing a table and chairs. The remaining large open area was occupied by tables and chairs for customers. Additionally, the toilets were located in the bottom-right corner, while the main entrance was situated on the right-hand side.

After the redesign, although the kitchen remained in the upper left corner, the original serving area was replaced by an expanded zone dedicated to hot food and coffee counters. The central staff dining rooms were completely removed to make room for an expanded customer seating layout, incorporating both individual tables and bar-style seating. Furthermore, a dedicated takeaway counter was added near the entrance to streamline customer flow.

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 main changes, such as the removal of staff rooms and the reorientation of seating, while also detailing specific spatial modifications. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is logical and well-supported by the visual data. You successfully identified that the kitchen remained unchanged, which is a key feature. The information is well-selected and reported accurately, meeting the requirements for a high band score by providing a comprehensive summary of the transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that contrast the two plans effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Additionally', 'Although', and 'Furthermore' are used naturally to guide the reader through the spatial changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the description of the original layout from the redesigned one. The flow of information is smooth, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and plans. Phrases like 'significantly modernised', 'complete reorientation', 'streamline customer flow', and 'expanded zone' show a level of precision and flexibility. The word choices are accurate and contribute to a professional tone. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity throughout the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('Although the kitchen remained...', '...to make room for an expanded customer seating layout...'). Punctuation is used accurately to manage sentence length and clarity. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are handled with confidence. There is a good balance between simple and complex forms, which makes the text easy to read and grammatically sound.

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