Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 plans compare a college cafe before its redesign with its current layout.

Overall, the cafe has undergone substantial changes, with several existing facilities being modified or replaced and new areas, including outdoor seating and a barbecue area, being introduced.

Before the redesign, the kitchen was located in the top corner, with a serving area directly below it that was used for all types of food and drinks. Other facilities included two staff dining rooms, a tables-and-chairs area and toilets. A bin was positioned to the right of the tables and chairs.

Following the modifications, the kitchen has been retained, while the serving area is now dedicated to hot meals. The tables and chairs are still located in the same position, and the toilets have also been left unchanged. In contrast, the two staff dining rooms have been replaced by a takeaway food point and a coffee bar. A salad bar has also been introduced to the left of the tables and chairs, while the original bin has been relabelled as a recycling point.

The outdoor area has also been developed, with a barbecue area and seating introduced to the south of the salad bar. The seating is positioned to the left of the barbecue area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have successfully identified the main features of the cafe before and after the redesign, including the modifications to the kitchen, serving areas, and the addition of new facilities like the salad bar and outdoor seating. The overview provides a clear summary of the changes, and the comparisons are accurate and well-supported by the details provided. The information is logically grouped, and you have maintained a consistent focus on the visual data throughout the report. No key features were omitted, and the response is well-balanced.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear logical progression. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the 'before' state, the 'after' state, and the specific developments in the outdoor area. Cohesive devices such as 'Following the modifications', 'In contrast', and 'while' are used naturally to link ideas and guide the reader through the changes. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text, making it very easy to follow the comparison between the two plans.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing changes in a layout. Phrases such as 'undergone substantial changes', 'retained', 'dedicated to', and 'relabelled' show a good level of precision. The vocabulary is used accurately to describe the spatial relationships and the nature of the modifications. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms for 'introduced' or 'positioned' could elevate the response further, but the current usage is already quite natural and precise for this task type.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, effectively. The use of passive voice ('was located', 'have been replaced', 'has been introduced') is highly appropriate for describing changes in a formal report. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense usage—shifting between the past state and the current state—is handled with precision.

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