Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-25
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 plans illustrate the current layout of a university sports centre and the proposed changes following its redevelopment.
Overall, the sports centre will be considerably expanded, with a number of new facilities being added, including a leisure pool, sports hall, café, sports shop and dance studios. The existing 25-metre pool, gym, reception, changing room and seating area will remain, although some of them will be modified.
At present, the 25-metre pool occupies the centre of the building, with a gym directly above it and a reception area below. A changing room is situated on the western side, while a seating area is located to the east of the pool. There are also outdoor courts on both the eastern and western sides of the centre.
Under the proposed redevelopment, the existing facilities will largely be retained. However, the building will be extended considerably. A large leisure pool will be constructed in the north-western section, while a new sports hall will be added to the eastern side of the 25-metre pool. Two dance studios will be built along the far eastern side. In addition, a new changing room and a café will be constructed in the south-eastern part of the centre, while a sports shop and another changing room will be added in the south-west. The outdoor courts will be removed to make space for these new facilities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The student covers all parts of the task well, providing a clear and comprehensive summary of the current layout and the proposed future changes of the university sports centre. The main features are accurately reported, such as the retention of the 25-metre pool and the addition of the leisure pool, sports hall, dance studios, and various other amenities. An appropriate overview is included in the second paragraph, highlighting the main trends such as overall expansion and the removal of the outdoor courts. Comparisons and spatial references are handled effectively throughout the response, matching the visual data closely.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0
The text is logically sequenced and easy to follow. Information is organized into well-structured paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and overall trend, followed by a detailed description of the present layout, and concluding with the proposed changes. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader through the spatial transformations (e.g., 'At present', 'Under the proposed redevelopment', 'In addition'). Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring smooth progression from one idea to the next.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an Academic Task 1 response. Vocabulary is used precisely to describe spatial relationships and architectural modifications, such as 'considerably expanded', 'occupies the centre', 'retained', and 'constructed'. Less common items and collocation phrases are utilized naturally (e.g., 'proposed redevelopment', 'north-western section'). Word choice is accurate, and spelling is flawless throughout the entire text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0
The response features a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with participial phrases and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'with a number of new facilities being added', 'while a new sports hall will be added to the eastern side'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free. Control over tense usage is excellent, accurately shifting between the present simple tense for the current layout and the future simple passive voice for the redevelopment plans. Punctuation is used correctly.
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.