Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 7.0)

The maps illustrate the changes that occurred in a college cafe before and after the renovation.

Overall, there is an expansion of the cafe by the addition of some facilities comprising outdoor seating and barbecue setups. In the seating area of the cafe, new amenities are included, such as a coffee bar, salad bar, and other features.

Firstly, before the renovation, there was a single entrance on the eastern side of the cafe. Then, on the left side of the entrance, there was a bin and toilets adjacent to the bin. Subsequently, on the northern side of the seating area, there were two staff dining rooms. Additionally, on the northwest corner, there was a kitchen and a serving area right next to it.

Furthermore, after the renovation, there is the addition of two entrances, and now there are three. Moreover, outdoor seating and a barbecue area are added on the southern side of the cafe. The bins are replaced by recycling bins. Two staff dining rooms are altered into a coffee bar and a takeaway food area. Finally, a salad bar is added in the seating area of the cafe, located on the western side. The serving area is converted into a hot meal point, but the kitchen remains unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively summarizes the main features of the cafe renovation. You have successfully identified the key changes, such as the addition of outdoor seating, the barbecue area, and the reconfiguration of the interior spaces. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the transformation. You have covered all parts of the task well, and the information is logically selected to highlight the most significant differences between the two plans. To reach a higher band, ensure that you consistently use precise directional language, as some descriptions of location could be even more specific to help the reader visualize the changes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is well-organized with a clear structure. You have used paragraphing effectively to separate the introduction, the overview, the 'before' state, and the 'after' state. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' helps to guide the reader through the description. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the general layout to specific changes. The referencing is generally clear, though occasionally the flow could be improved by varying the sentence starters to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in the listing of features.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'renovation', 'expansion', 'amenities', 'reconfigured', and 'converted'. The terminology is appropriate for a task of this nature. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or precise descriptive terms to characterize the spatial changes, such as 'underwent a complete transformation' or 'the layout was significantly optimized'. The current range is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication without errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'In the seating area of the cafe, new amenities are included, such as a coffee bar...' and 'The serving area is converted into a hot meal point, but the kitchen remains unchanged.' The punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are clear and easy to follow. To improve further, you could experiment with more varied sentence structures, such as using passive voice more dynamically or incorporating participle clauses to describe the changes more fluidly.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.