Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02

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 floor plans illustrate the layout of a college café prior to its redesign and its current layout following extensive renovations.

Overall, the café has undergone significant structural updates, modernizing its food service options and adding outdoor facilities. While major elements like the kitchen, toilets, and central indoor seating area remain in their original positions, specialized dining and service counters have replaced older, generalized sections.

Looking at the initial design, food and drinks were provided from a single, unified serving area connected directly to the kitchen in the upper-left corner. To the right, adjacent to the main dining room, were two separate staff dining rooms. A single general waste bin was positioned near the right-hand wall close to the entrance and toilets.

Following the redesign, the original serving area has been repurposed exclusively for hot meals, complemented by a new salad bar added along the western wall. The staff dining rooms have been completely removed and replaced by a takeaway food station and a dedicated coffee bar. On the eastern side, the single bin was upgraded to recycling bins. Finally, an entirely new outdoor seating area featuring a barbecue station has been constructed along the bottom of the premises, accessible via two new exits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the redesign, such as the removal of staff rooms, the addition of the outdoor area, and the modernization of service counters. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the most significant changes. You have successfully compared the 'before' and 'after' states, ensuring all parts of the prompt are addressed. The information is well-selected and logically grouped, providing a clear picture of the transformation without unnecessary detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from an overall summary to specific details. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the initial state from the changes. Cohesive devices such as 'While,' 'Looking at the initial design,' and 'Following the redesign' are used naturally to guide the reader through the comparison. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between the different areas of the café is clearly articulated throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and plans. Phrases such as 'undergone significant structural updates,' 'repurposed exclusively,' and 'accessible via two new exits' show a high level of control. The use of terminology is accurate and contributes to the professional tone of the report. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a high degree of grammatical accuracy with a variety of complex sentence structures. You effectively use passive voice ('has been repurposed,' 'has been constructed') and complex noun phrases to describe the changes. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, accurately reflecting the transition from the past state to the current layout.

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