Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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.

The plans below show a college cafe before it was redesigned and how it looks now.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

The map illustrates the layout of a college café after renovation. Overall, several changes have been made to the café, including the addition of new food counters and an outdoor seating area for students. The renovated café also provides more space and a wider range of food options.

Before the renovation, there was a staff dining room, which has now been converted into a takeaway food counter and a coffee bar. In the top-right corner, the kitchen has remained unchanged, although the serving area has been modified to include a hot-meal counter. In addition, the original bin on the left side of the café entrance has been replaced with recycling bins, while the toilets have remained in their original location.

Another significant change is the addition of an outdoor seating area for students. This provides students with an opportunity to dine outdoors and enjoy the college environment. Furthermore, two new food stations, a barbecue and a salad bar, have been introduced. As a result, students now have more choices of food and a more spacious area in which to enjoy their meals.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response effectively covers the main features of the cafe renovation. You have successfully identified key changes such as the conversion of the staff room, the addition of the outdoor seating area, and the new food counters. The overview provides a clear summary of the transformation. To reach a higher band, ensure you make more explicit comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states throughout the body paragraphs rather than just listing changes. For instance, noting the specific shift in the flow of the cafe or the relative size of the new seating area compared to the original layout would strengthen the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction, the internal structural changes, and the external additions. You use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the information flows smoothly from one point to the next. The structure is clear and easy to follow, which is a hallmark of a well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and plans, such as 'converted', 'modified', 'introduced', and 'spacious'. The language is natural and precise enough to convey the changes clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more varied collocations or precise descriptive terms related to spatial changes, such as 'reconfigured', 'dismantled', or 'extended', to show a more flexible command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing is largely error-free and demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures. You use passive voice appropriately for describing changes (e.g., 'has been replaced', 'have been introduced'), which is essential for this type of task. Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain interest. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, making the text easy to read and professional in tone.

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