Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-22

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 8.0)

The maps depict the design layout of a university sports complex in its current state and illustrate how it will change after reconstruction.

Overall, there will be a dramatic expansion in the future. The most noticeable difference in the plans is the addition of various new facilities, with a clear focus on enhancing both leisure and training options.

At the moment, the university sports centre features a relatively basic infrastructure. The main entrance leads to a central reception area. Immediately behind the reception area, there is a 25-meter pool. The pool is flanked by the changing room to the west and a sitting room to the east. The far end of the facility is occupied by the gym. Externally, the building is flanked by outdoor courts, which are located on both sides of the pool. Notably, the indoor facilities are designed such that the rooms are not directly interconnected.

In contrast, the redevelopment plans introduce a more diverse set of facilities. The 25-meter pool will remain in its original location, as will the gym, changing room, and sitting room. However, significant transformation is planned for the outdoor areas. To the west, the outdoor courts will be demolished and replaced with a leisure pool. Meanwhile, to the east, the courts will be converted into a large sports hall. Furthermore, two dance studios will be added to the northeast corner of the building. A small sports shop and a café will also be introduced near the reception area in the entrance hall. Finally, the number of changing rooms will be increased to better serve customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have provided a very strong response that fully addresses all parts of the task. You successfully identified the main features of the current layout and clearly contrasted them with the proposed redevelopment. The overview is concise and highlights the most significant changes, such as the expansion of facilities. You have effectively used data from the maps to support your descriptions, and the comparison between the two states is logical and easy to follow. The response is well-balanced, covering both the existing infrastructure and the future additions without omitting any key details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the introduction to the current state, and finally the future plans. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate different aspects of the task. You have employed a good range of cohesive devices, such as 'In contrast', 'Meanwhile', and 'Furthermore', which help to guide the reader through the comparison. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. The structure is professional and demonstrates a high level of control over the organization of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

Your vocabulary is precise and well-suited to the task. You have used a range of topic-specific language, such as 'reconstruction', 'infrastructure', 'demolished', and 'converted', which adds clarity and sophistication to your writing. The word choices are accurate and demonstrate a good awareness of collocation. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is natural and appropriate for an academic report. You have successfully avoided repetition by using varied synonyms to describe the changes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex sentence structures used throughout the response. You have demonstrated excellent control over verb tenses, particularly when shifting between the current state and future predictions (e.g., 'will remain', 'will be demolished'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are virtually no grammatical errors. The sentence construction is varied, which makes the text engaging and easy to read. Your ability to maintain grammatical consistency while describing complex spatial relationships is a clear strength.

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