Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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 floor plans illustrate the structural modifications made to a café layout, comparing its original state prior to redesign with its current configuration.

Overall, the café has undergone significant developments aimed at expanding service variety and increasing customer capacity. Most notably, dedicated dining spaces for staff have been repurposed into specialized service stalls, and a substantial outdoor seating area has been added.

In the original layout, all food and beverages were dispensed from a single central serving area located directly in front of the kitchen. Additionally, two staff dining rooms occupied the northern wall, each equipped with circular tables. To the right, a single waste bin stood near the entrance, adjacent to the toilets situated in the bottom right corner.

In the present layout, the main serving counter has been converted exclusively for "Hot meals." The former staff dining rooms have been removed and replaced with two distinct stations: one for "Take away food" and another functioning as a "Coffee bar." Along the left-hand wall, a new salad bar has been introduced. Furthermore, the single bin near the right exit has been expanded into a dedicated recycling bin area, while the toilets in the bottom right corner remain unchanged.

Externally, a completely new barbecue zone has been installed outside the bottom-left corner, and an outdoor seating area featuring multiple tables now spans the southern exterior of the building, accessible via a new doorway at the bottom wall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the café redesign, including the internal structural changes and the addition of external facilities. The overview effectively summarizes the transformation from a single-service model to a multi-service layout. You have made relevant comparisons between the 'before' and 'now' states, such as the conversion of staff rooms into service stalls and the expansion of the waste area. All parts of the prompt are addressed, and the information is presented in a logical, analytical manner that fully satisfies the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-structured with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the overall summary, the original layout, the current internal changes, and the external additions. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In the original layout,' 'In the present layout,' and 'Furthermore,' which guide the reader smoothly through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data, and referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for describing diagrams. Phrases such as 'structural modifications,' 'repurposed into specialized service stalls,' and 'spans the southern exterior' show a high level of lexical control. The use of topic-specific vocabulary is accurate and natural. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey the spatial changes clearly and concisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high degree of grammatical accuracy and a good variety of complex structures. You successfully use passive voice constructions, such as 'has been converted' and 'has been installed,' which are appropriate for describing processes and changes. Sentence structures are varied, and punctuation is used correctly to manage complex information. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent throughout the response.

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