Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02

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 given map depicts a cafeteria of a college before and after its redesign.

Overall, it is readily apparent that this particular layout has undergone various significant modifications, such as a new outdoor seating area, a takeaway corner, and a coffee bar. However, the main seating area, toilets, and kitchen remained unchanged.

Delving deeper into the details, before the modification there was no outdoor seating area, but after the development, one was constructed to the south of the cafe, which also includes a barbecue corner. Furthermore, the main seating area and toilets, which were inside the cafe, remained untouched, but a new salad bar was introduced on the western side after the development. The cafe changed the waste-disposal method by adapting the use of recycling bins instead of a bin that was previously used.

In contrast, the serving area, which previously served all food and drink, is changed into a hot meals corner; however, the kitchen remained unchanged. Moreover, the staff dining rooms are converted into a takeaway food corner and a coffee bar. Last but not least, all the entrances are the same except a new entrance was added adjacent to the barbecue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the college cafe before and after its redesign and providing clear comparisons, such as noting that the kitchen, main seating area, and toilets remained in their original locations while other areas were modified. The overview is well-crafted, capturing the primary changes accurately. The ideas are generally well extended and supported, though there is a slight tendency to generalize certain features, such as the entrance changes. To reach a higher band, the student could provide even more precise spatial relationships and a more comprehensive synthesis of the overall layout transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout the text, moving smoothly from an introductory overview to specific details and contrasts. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Delving deeper into the details', 'Furthermore', and 'In contrast' are used effectively to guide the reader through the comparison, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the redesign. To move further up, the student should ensure that referencing within and between sentences is entirely seamless and avoid relying on standard formulaic transition phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision, successfully employing less common items such as 'redesign', 'modifications', 'untouched', and 'waste-disposal method'. Word choice is generally appropriate, though there are occasional minor inaccuracies in collocation or phrasing, such as 'adapting the use of recycling bins instead of a bin that was previously used'. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout and do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate a wider variety of sophisticated lexical chunks and idiomatic or less common academic collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex sentence structures alongside simpler forms, with frequent error-free sentences demonstrating solid control of grammar and punctuation. Good use of subordinate clauses and passive constructions is evident, such as in 'one was constructed to the south of the cafe' and 'the staff dining rooms are converted into a takeaway food corner'. A few minor slips persist, but they never impede communication or obscure the meaning. To reach the highest band levels, the student would need to maintain a consistently wider range of complex structures with near-total accuracy and flawless punctuation.

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

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