Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22

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 plans illustrate the changes that took place in a college café before and after its redesign.

Overall, the café has undergone considerable redevelopment, with several new facilities being introduced and the staff dining room being converted into a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. However, the kitchen, tables and chairs, recycling bin, and toilets have remained in their original locations.

Before the renovation, the kitchen and serving area were situated on the western side of the café. The staff dining room occupied the central northern section, with tables and chairs positioned adjacent to it. A bin was located in the western part of the café, while the toilets were situated in the north-western corner.

Following the redevelopment, the kitchen has remained in the same position, whereas the former serving area has been transformed into a hot-meals area in the north-west. In addition, the staff dining room has been divided into two sections, namely a takeaway food area and a coffee bar. Meanwhile, the tables and chairs, recycling bin, and toilets have all been retained in their original positions.

Furthermore, two new facilities have been added to the café. A salad bar has been introduced on the western side, alongside a barbecue area located outdoors. An outdoor seating area has also been created in front of the café, providing space for students to sit and enjoy food from the barbecue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear overview and highlighting the key changes and continuities between the two plans. Main features such as the conversion of the staff dining room, the modification of the kitchen serving area, and the addition of outdoor facilities like the barbecue and outdoor seating are accurately reported. The comparisons are well-drawn, such as noting that 'the kitchen has remained in the same position, whereas the former serving area has been transformed into a hot-meals area'. The response is fully developed and satisfies all requirements of Academic Task 1 without any significant omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from an introductory overview to specific details of the before and after states. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Before the renovation', 'Following the redevelopment', and 'Furthermore' are used naturally to guide the reader through the comparisons without being intrusive or mechanical. Reference pronouns and substitution are handled skillfully throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to describing spatial changes and architectural plans. Appropriate less common lexical items and collocations are utilized effectively, such as 'considerable redevelopment', 'transformed into', and 'retained in their original positions'. Word choices are accurate, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-formation errors that impede communication. The vocabulary supports precise reporting of the visual data.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The text displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with participial phrases and subordinate clauses, such as 'providing space for students to sit and enjoy food from the barbecue'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and the control of tense and voice (particularly passive structures like 'has been transformed into' and 'have all been retained') is excellent. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled with high precision, showing a very high level of grammatical control.

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.