Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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)

The two maps illustrate the college canteen before and after it's redevelopment.

Overall, the redesigned cafe has replaced the staff dining rooms with a wider range of food service points, and an outdoor seating area with a barbecue has been added. The general layout of the kitchen, toilets and main dining area, however, remains largely unchanged.

In the original cafe, all food and drink were served from a single serving area next to the kitchen. Customers ate in one large area of tables and chairs, next to which were two separate staff dining rooms, each containing a round table. A bin and toilets were located in the bottom right corner, near the only entrance.

In the current design, the single serving area has been divided into three specialised sections: hot meals, take-away food, and a coffee bar, while a salad bar now runs along the left-hand wall. The staff dining rooms have been removed entirely, giving customers more space. The bin has been replaced by recycling bins, and a barbecue and outdoor seating area, consisting of several tables, have been added at the bottom of the cafe, extending the space beyond the original building. The toilets remain in the same position as before.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent and fully addresses all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe before and after the redesign, such as the removal of staff rooms and the addition of the outdoor area. The overview is clear and provides a concise summary of the most significant changes. You have made effective comparisons between the two plans, noting both what has changed and what has remained the same, such as the kitchen and toilet locations. The information is well-selected and logically presented, ensuring the reader gets a clear picture of the transformation without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the overview, and the detailed descriptions of the original and current layouts. Cohesive devices such as 'In the original cafe', 'In the current design', and 'while' are used naturally to guide the reader through the comparison. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is precise, making the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which demonstrates a high level of control.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and plans. Phrases such as 'specialised sections', 'remains largely unchanged', and 'extending the space beyond the original building' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, avoiding repetition. You have used collocations effectively, such as 'general layout' and 'food service points'. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are consistently sophisticated, contributing to a professional and academic tone throughout the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of participial phrases ('consisting of several tables') and relative clauses ('which were two separate staff dining rooms'). Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips, such as the possessive error in 'it's redevelopment' (should be 'its'), are rare and do not impede communication. Your control over tense and aspect is consistent and appropriate for the task.

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