Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
The two plans show the layout of a college café before and after its redesign.
Overall, the café has been considerably modernised, with several new food facilities and outdoor seating added. However, the kitchen, toilets and main indoor seating area have remained largely unchanged.
Before the redesign, the kitchen was in the north-west corner, with a serving area for all food and drinks below it. The main seating area occupied the centre, while two staff dining rooms were located in the north-east. Toilets and a bin were situated on the eastern side.
Today, the serving area has been replaced by a hot-meals section, while the two staff dining rooms have been converted into a takeaway-food area and a coffee bar. A salad bar has also been added along the western wall, and a barbecue area has been built in the south-west corner.
In addition, the area outside the café now contains several tables for outdoor seating. The bin has been replaced by recycling bins, while the toilets remain in their original position. Overall, the redesign has made the café more varied and convenient for students.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the changes and successfully highlighted the main features, such as the conversion of the staff dining rooms and the addition of outdoor seating. The comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states are accurate and well-integrated. The information is logically selected, and the summary is balanced, ensuring that the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of the redesign without unnecessary detail. You have successfully met the requirements for an Academic Task 1 response by reporting the key trends and specific modifications.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The response is well-structured, with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a clear purpose: the introduction sets the context, the overview provides a summary, and the body paragraphs detail the specific changes. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Before the redesign', 'Today', and 'In addition' helps guide the reader smoothly through the comparison. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the chronological stages of the cafe's layout. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the old and new features is clearly established throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Terms such as 'considerably modernised', 'converted', 'occupied', and 'original position' demonstrate a good level of precision. The vocabulary is appropriate for the context of describing a floor plan. While the range is effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'added' or 'replaced' could elevate the response further. However, the current usage is precise and contributes to a clear, professional tone throughout the report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writing displays a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Before the redesign, the kitchen was in the north-west corner, with a serving area for all food and drinks below it.' The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The use of passive voice ('has been replaced', 'have been converted') is particularly appropriate for describing changes in a formal report. The sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of control over English grammar.
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