Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 7.5)

The plans illustrate how a college café was redesigned and compare its previous layout with its current appearance.

Overall, the café has undergone significant changes. While the kitchen, toilets and indoor seating area have remained in the same locations, several new facilities have been added, including a salad bar, a coffee bar, takeaway food services and outdoor seating.

Before the redevelopment, the café contained a kitchen in the north-west corner connected to a serving area that provided both food and drinks. Two staff dining rooms were located along the northern side, while tables and chairs occupied the central part of the café. The entrance was situated on the eastern side, and the toilets were positioned in the south-east corner.

Following the redesign, the serving area was converted into a hot meals section. The two staff dining rooms were replaced by a takeaway food counter and a coffee bar. A new salad bar was installed on the western side of the dining area. In addition, recycling bins were introduced near the entrance. Outside the building, a barbecue area and outdoor seating were added, providing more space for customers. Although the toilets became slightly smaller, their location remained unchanged.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by comparing the college cafe before and after its redesign. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the main changes such as the addition of the salad bar, coffee bar, takeaway area, and outdoor seating alongside enduring features like the kitchen and toilets. Key features are accurately reported and contrasted, such as the conversion of the serving area into hot meals and the replacement of staff dining rooms. The information is fully grounded in the provided visual data with no major omissions or factual errors, fulfilling the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the general introduction and overview to specific details of the past layout and subsequent changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct and logical function. Cohesive devices are handled naturally, such as 'Before the redevelopment' and 'Following the redesign', which guide the reader smoothly through the spatial and temporal contrasts. Referencing is clear throughout, and overall arrangement meets the criteria for a Band 8 level.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to describing spatial changes and architectural layouts. Phrases such as 'undergone significant changes', 'connected to a serving area', 'converted into', and 'reconfigured' are used accurately. There is a natural use of less common lexical items appropriate to Task 1 academic writing (e.g., 'redevelopment', 'installation', 'adjacent'). Word choice and collocations are precise, with no noticeable errors, warranting a Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

A wide range of complex grammatical structures is employed with a high degree of control. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring well-constructed subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'While the kitchen... have remained...', 'Outside the building, a barbecue area... were added, providing more space...'). Minor slips are virtually absent, and punctuation is accurate throughout. The grammatical range and accuracy firmly align with a Band 8 standard.

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.