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 maps illustrate the changes made to the layout of a college café before and after its redesign.

Overall, the café has undergone significant changes, with several new facilities being introduced, including a salad bar, takeaway food area, coffee bar, barbecue and outdoor seating. Meanwhile, the kitchen and toilets have remained largely unchanged.

Before the redesign, the serving area was located next to the kitchen. However, this area has now been replaced by a hot meals section. The two staff dining rooms in the centre of the café have also been removed and replaced by a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. In addition, the bin near the toilets has been replaced by recycling bins, while the toilets themselves have remained in the same position.

Several new facilities have also been added. A salad bar has been installed on the left side of the main dining area, while a barbecue has been constructed outside the café. Furthermore, an outdoor seating area with five tables has been added at the bottom of the café. The main entrance and exit doors have remained in the same locations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response effectively addresses all requirements of the task. You have clearly identified the main features of the redesign, such as the introduction of the salad bar, takeaway area, and outdoor seating, while noting the stability of the kitchen and toilets. The overview is concise and provides a clear summary of the changes. You have successfully selected relevant information and made appropriate comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states. The report is well-structured and covers all significant spatial changes, ensuring the reader can easily visualize the transformation of the college café.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from an overview to specific details. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the general changes from the specific modifications to the layout and the addition of new facilities. Cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'However', 'In addition', and 'Furthermore' are used appropriately to link ideas and guide the reader through the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the response, meeting the criteria for a high level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes accurately. Terms such as 'undergone significant changes', 'replaced', 'installed', and 'constructed' are used correctly in context. The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the range is adequate and functional, incorporating a few more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to spatial changes could elevate the response further. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Before the redesign, the serving area was located next to the kitchen.' The use of passive voice ('has been replaced', 'has been installed') is particularly appropriate for this type of task. The sentences are generally error-free, and the punctuation is accurate. The control over grammar is consistent, and the structures used are varied enough to convey the information clearly and professionally.

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