Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28

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 floor plans illustrate the changes made to a café before and after its redesign.

Overall, the café has undergone several significant changes, including the introduction of a coffee bar, takeaway food area, salad bar and outdoor seating. However, the kitchen, toilets and the main tables-and-chairs area have remained largely unchanged.

Before the redesign, the kitchen occupied the upper-left corner and contained a serving area for all food and drinks. Two staff dining rooms were located in the centre, while tables and chairs occupied most of the remaining space. In the redesigned café, the serving area has been replaced by a hot-meals section. The two staff dining rooms have also been converted into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. Additionally, a salad bar has been added along the left wall, while a refrigerator and drinks section is now situated on the right. The café has also been expanded outside, with a barbecue and several tables and chairs providing outdoor seating.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main changes and supported this with specific details from the plans. The comparison between the 'before' and 'after' states is logical and easy to follow. You successfully identified the key additions, such as the coffee bar and outdoor seating, while noting the areas that remained constant. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial relationships are described with maximum precision; for instance, you could further clarify the exact relocation of the entrance or the flow of the new layout to provide a more comprehensive summary of the spatial transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. You use paragraphing effectively to separate the overview from the detailed description. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'However', and 'Before the redesign' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the changes. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the information is presented in a way that is easy to follow. The referencing is clear, and the structure of the report is professional and appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing changes in a layout, such as 'undergone', 'redesign', 'converted', and 'situated'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. To improve further, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common vocabulary related to architectural changes or spatial arrangements. For example, instead of 'occupied most of the remaining space', you could use 'dominated the floor plan'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the information clearly and accurately throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences that are handled with accuracy. Your use of passive voice ('has been replaced', 'have been converted') is particularly effective for this type of task, as it focuses on the changes rather than the actors. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, showing a strong command of English grammar. Maintaining this level of accuracy while introducing even more varied complex structures would further enhance your score.

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

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