Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01
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 diagrams illustrate the structural modifications made to a college cafe's layout.
Overall, it is clear that the former cafe lacked facilities and had limited services, whereas the redesigned layout incorporates several new amenities while retaining a few original features.
Looking at the previous cafe layout, the food and drink serving area was located directly in front of the kitchen. Two staff dining rooms featuring round tables were positioned near the northern wall. Additionally, small bins were situated on the right side, and the toilets were located in the bottom-right corner.
On the other hand, the rearranged cafe has undergone significant changes. The former serving area has been replaced by a hot meals counter, while the two staff rooms were converted into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. A salad bar was added along the western wall, and a barbecue area was constructed in the lower-left corner. Furthermore, a new outdoor seating area with rectangular tables was introduced. Meanwhile, the toilets remained in their original location, and the bins were expanded and designated as recycling bins.
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 addresses the task by providing a clear overview of the changes. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the conversion of the staff rooms and the addition of the outdoor seating and barbecue area. The comparison between the 'before' and 'now' states is logical and well-structured. You have covered all key areas of the diagrams without omitting significant details. The inclusion of a clear overview paragraph at the beginning helps the reader understand the general trend of the transformation immediately. The information is accurate and well-supported by the visual data provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the 'before' and 'after' states, which makes the information easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Meanwhile' are used appropriately to link sentences and ideas. The flow is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the spatial changes described in the diagrams.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing changes in a layout. Terms such as 'structural modifications', 'amenities', 'rearranged', and 'designated' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to a professional tone. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'small bins', you could use 'waste disposal units'. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('whereas the redesigned layout incorporates...') and participial phrases ('featuring round tables'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There is a consistent control over tense usage, moving appropriately between the past tense for the original layout and the present tense for the current state. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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