Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-30
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 8.5)
The maps illustrate the current and future layouts of a university sports center.
Overall, it is evident that the university sports center is predicted to undergo extensive development, particularly in the eastern, western and southern parts, with the addition of several few facilities, including a leisure pool, a changing room, a cafe, and a dance studio.
In detail, at present, the university sports center consists of a 25-m swimming pool in the center, with a gym located to the north, a seating area to the east, a changing room to the west, and a reception area to the south. There are two outdoor courts, one on the eastern side and the other on the western side.
Looking at the future layout, the swimming pool, the seating area and the reception area are expected to remain unchanged. The gym will be expanded towards the north. The outdoor court on the western side will be replaced by a leisure pool, while two changing rooms will be constructed in the the south-eastern and south-western areas. Moreover, a sports shop and a cafe are predicted to be developed to the south, and the outdoor court on the eastern side is expected to be replaced by a sports hall. Additionally, two dance studios will be added on the eastern and north-eastern side.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the changes and successfully identified the key features of both the current and future layouts. The comparison between the two maps is logical and easy to follow. You have highlighted the major developments, such as the expansion of the gym and the replacement of outdoor courts with new facilities like the leisure pool and sports hall. The information is accurate and well-supported by the visual data provided. To reach a higher band, ensure that all minor details are captured with equal precision, though your current coverage is already very strong.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is well-organized with a logical progression of ideas. You have used a clear structure, starting with an introduction and an overview, followed by detailed descriptions of the current and future states. Cohesive devices such as 'In detail', 'Looking at the future layout', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader through the information. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The referencing is clear, and there is no confusion regarding which part of the sports center is being discussed. The overall structure is coherent and professional.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and layouts. Phrases like 'undergo extensive development', 'remain unchanged', and 'constructed in the south-eastern areas' show a good command of descriptive language. There is an attempt to use precise terminology related to the task. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or varied synonyms for 'added' or 'developed' could further enhance the lexical variety. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the word choices are natural and fit the context of an academic report well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of passive voice ('will be expanded', 'will be replaced') which is highly appropriate for this type of task. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor slip with the repeated article 'the the' in the final paragraph, but this is a rare, non-systematic error that does not impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list items. Your control over tense usage, particularly the shift between present and future, is consistent and correct.
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