Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-12
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)
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Model Answer
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Task Prompt
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.
Model Answer
191 words
Grammar: 1
The maps illustrate the current layout of a university sports centre and its proposed redevelopment plans for the future.
Overall, the facility will undergo a significant expansion, transforming from a partially outdoor complex into a fully indoor sports centre. The main building will extend substantially to the east and west, replacing the existing outdoor courts with newly constructed indoor amenities.
Currently, the central building houses a 25-meter pool, flanked by a changing room to the west, a seating area to the east, a gym to the north, and a reception near the southern entrance. Two outdoor courts are located separately on the far left and right sides of this main structure.
In the future, the outdoor courts will be completely removed to make way for extensions. The western wing will feature a new, irregularly shaped leisure pool, complete with its own changing room and a sports shop near the entrance. To the east, the building will expand to include a large sports hall, a café, an additional changing room, and two dance studios positioned along the easternmost wall. Meanwhile, the central 25m pool, gym, seating area, and reception will remain unchanged.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response is excellent. You have clearly identified the main features of the sports centre's current layout and the proposed redevelopment. The overview effectively captures the most significant change—the transition from a partially outdoor complex to a fully indoor facility. By contrasting the removal of outdoor courts with the addition of new amenities like the leisure pool and dance studios, you have provided a comprehensive summary. The information is logically selected and accurately reported, meeting all requirements of the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The response is well-structured, with a clear introduction, a logical overview, and distinct paragraphs for the current and future states. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving naturally from the existing layout to the proposed changes. Cohesive devices such as 'Currently,' 'In the future,' 'Meanwhile,' and 'To the east' are used effectively to guide the reader through the spatial changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the development, ensuring the information is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for describing maps and plans. Phrases such as 'proposed redevelopment plans,' 'undergo a significant expansion,' 'flanked by,' and 'positioned along the easternmost wall' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also sophisticated, allowing for a natural and fluent description of the changes. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is perfectly suited to the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The writing displays a wide range of complex structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You effectively use a variety of sentence types, including participial phrases ('replacing the existing outdoor courts') and complex sentences with subordinate clauses. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over tense and aspect is consistent, accurately reflecting the current state versus the future plans. The writing is error-free and highly readable.
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