Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19

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 8.0)

Absolutely — for a **Band 7–7.5+**, you want a clear overview, accurate comparisons, and a good range of location/change vocabulary without trying to sound unnecessarily complicated.

# IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 — College Café Redesign

The plans illustrate the changes made to a college café following its redesign.

Overall, the café has been considerably modernised, with several new facilities and seating areas being introduced. The most notable changes are the addition of a coffee bar, a takeaway-food area and outdoor seating, while the former staff dining rooms have been removed.

Before the redevelopment, the café consisted mainly of a large area containing tables and chairs. At the top left was a kitchen with a serving area for all food and drinks. Two staff dining rooms were situated in the upper central part of the café. On the right-hand side, there were toilets and a bin, while the main entrance was located on the eastern side.

The redesigned café has retained the kitchen and the main seating area, although the serving area has been replaced by a section for hot meals. The two staff dining rooms have been converted into a takeaway-food area and a coffee bar. In addition, a salad bar has been installed along the western wall, while the former bin has been replaced by recycling bins. The toilets remain in the southeast corner, although an additional entrance has been added nearby.

Finally, the redesign has expanded the café’s seating options by creating a large outdoor seating area along the southern side. A barbecue has also been added at the southwest corner, providing facilities for outdoor dining.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have successfully identified all key features of the redesign, including the removal of staff rooms, the addition of the coffee bar and takeaway area, and the expansion of seating. The overview is clear and effectively highlights the most significant changes. You have made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states, such as noting the replacement of the serving area with a hot meal section and the conversion of staff rooms. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, ensuring the reader gets a comprehensive understanding of the spatial changes without unnecessary detail. This fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You start with a general overview, move to a description of the original layout, and then detail the specific changes in the redesigned version. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate these distinct stages of the analysis. Cohesive devices such as 'Before the redevelopment', 'The redesigned café', 'In addition', and 'Finally' are used naturally to guide the reader through the text. The referencing is precise, and the flow between sentences is smooth, making the information very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing spatial changes. Terms such as 'considerably modernised', 'retained', 'converted', 'installed', and 'expanded' are used accurately and in the correct context. The vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey the changes with clarity and precision. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and fits the academic tone required for Task 1. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied verbs to describe the alterations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('has been considerably modernised', 'have been converted') and subordinate clauses ('although the serving area has been replaced', 'while the former bin has been replaced'), which are essential for this type of task. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the overall control of tense and structure is consistent throughout the response.

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

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