Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26
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 changes made to a college café, comparing its original layout with its current design.
Overall, the café has undergone a substantial transformation, with several indoor facilities being replaced or relocated and a large outdoor seating area being added. The kitchen has remained in the same position, while the serving area has been converted into a hot-meals section.
Before the redesign, the majority of the café consisted of tables and chairs. Two staff dining rooms were situated in the upper-central part of the seating area, while toilets were located in the bottom-right corner. A bin was positioned beside the entrance on the eastern side. In addition, the kitchen occupied the upper-left section and was connected to a serving area offering food and drinks.
Today, the two staff dining rooms have been removed and replaced by a takeaway-food counter and a coffee bar. The former serving area has also been transformed into a hot-meals section. On the western side, a salad bar and a barbecue area have been introduced. The toilets have remained in approximately the same location, although the original bin has been replaced by a recycling-bin facility. Most notably, the redesign has created a spacious outdoor seating area along the entire southern side of the café, providing several tables for customers. Meanwhile, the central area continues to contain tables and chairs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
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 redesign, such as the removal of staff dining rooms and the addition of the outdoor seating area. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is clear and logical. You have provided a comprehensive overview in the introduction and supported your points with specific details from the plans. There are no omissions, and the information is presented in a way that allows the reader to easily visualize the changes. This is a very strong performance that meets all the criteria for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized and follows a logical progression. You have used a clear structure, starting with an overview and then moving into specific details in subsequent paragraphs. Cohesive devices such as 'Before the redesign', 'Today', 'In addition', and 'Meanwhile' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the cafe's development. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the original and current layout is consistently maintained throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to describing diagrams and spatial changes. Phrases such as 'undergone a substantial transformation', 'situated in the upper-central part', and 'spacious outdoor seating area' show a high level of control. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and sophisticated. You have successfully used topic-specific terminology to describe the cafe's features accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'The kitchen has remained in the same position, while the serving area has been converted into a hot-meals section.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent, which is crucial when comparing past and present states. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.
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