Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11

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 8.5)

The two floor plans illustrate the structural modifications made to a café layout, comparing its original state prior to redesign with its current configuration.

Overall, the café has undergone significant developments aimed at expanding service variety and increasing customer capacity. Most notably, dedicated dining spaces for staff have been repurposed into specialized service stalls, and a substantial outdoor seating area has been added.

In the original layout, all food and beverages were dispensed from a single central serving area located directly in front of the kitchen. Additionally, two staff dining rooms occupied the northern wall, each equipped with circular tables. To the right, a single waste bin stood near the entrance, adjacent to the toilets situated in the bottom right corner.

In the present layout, the main serving counter has been converted exclusively for "Hot meals." The former staff dining rooms have been removed and replaced with two distinct stations: one for "Take away food" and another functioning as a "Coffee bar." Along the left-hand wall, a new salad bar has been introduced. Furthermore, the single bin near the right exit has been expanded into a dedicated recycling bin area, while the toilets in the bottom right corner remain unchanged.

Externally, a completely new barbecue zone has been installed outside the bottom-left corner, and an outdoor seating area featuring multiple tables now spans the southern exterior of the building, accessible via a new doorway at the bottom wall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response is excellent. You have fully addressed all parts of the task by providing a clear overview of the changes and detailing the specific modifications to the cafe layout. You successfully identified the main features, such as the repurposing of the staff rooms and the addition of the outdoor seating area. The comparisons between the 'before' and 'after' states are accurate and well-supported by specific details from the plans. Your ability to synthesize the information into a coherent summary demonstrates a high level of task fulfillment, meeting all requirements for a Band 9 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and well-structured body paragraphs that follow a logical progression. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In the original layout,' 'In the present layout,' and 'Externally,' which guide the reader through the changes smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the internal and external modifications is seamless. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the spatial changes described. The flow of information is natural and unobtrusive.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with natural control. Phrases such as 'structural modifications,' 'repurposed into specialized service stalls,' and 'spans the southern exterior' show a high level of lexical precision. You avoid repetition and use specific terminology relevant to the task (e.g., 'dispensed,' 'configuration,' 'accessible'). There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is perfectly suited to the academic nature of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You use a variety of complex sentence forms, such as participial phrases ('featuring multiple tables') and passive constructions ('has been converted,' 'have been removed'), which are handled flawlessly. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical slips. The control over sentence structure is sophisticated, contributing to the overall clarity and professional tone of the report. This is a high-level performance in terms of grammatical accuracy.

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