Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The maps illustrate the changes that have taken place in Grange Park between 1920 and the present day.

Overall, the park has undergone significant redevelopment, with the removal of several traditional features and the introduction of modern facilities, including an amphitheatre, a café, a children's play area, and an underground car park. However, the central rose garden has been retained, although its position and layout have been altered.

In 1920, Grange Park contained a stage for musicians on the western side, while a fountain stood in the centre. There were three rose gardens located in the north-west, north-east, and south-west corners, and a pond for water plants occupied the north-eastern area. In addition, seats were placed around the edges of the park, and there were two entrances, one from Arnold Avenue and another from Eldon Street.

Today, the stage has been replaced by a large amphitheatre for concerts on the western side of the park. The central fountain has been removed and a smaller rose garden, surrounded by seating, has been established in its place. The pond and the south-west rose garden have disappeared, making way for a children's play area, a café, and a water feature in the south-east corner. Furthermore, an entrance to an underground car park has been added on the eastern side of the park.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have provided a comprehensive and accurate summary of the changes in Grange Park. You successfully identified the main features, such as the amphitheatre, the café, and the car park, while noting the retention of the rose garden. The comparison between 1920 and the present day is clear and well-structured. You have effectively highlighted the key transformations, such as the removal of the fountain and the pond, and the addition of modern facilities. The overview provides a strong summary of the overall redevelopment, which is essential for a high band score. All parts of the prompt are addressed thoroughly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a concise overview, and two body paragraphs that detail the changes chronologically and spatially. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'However' is natural and helps guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the historical state from the current state, ensuring that the information is easy to follow. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the referencing of specific locations (e.g., 'north-eastern area', 'western side') is precise and consistent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for describing maps and spatial changes. Phrases such as 'undergone significant redevelopment', 'retained', 'making way for', and 'established in its place' are used accurately and naturally. The vocabulary is varied and avoids repetition, contributing to a professional and academic tone. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the terminology used to describe the park's features is both accurate and appropriate for the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('has been replaced', 'has been established') and subordinate clauses, which are handled with precision. Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the overall control of tense—switching between the past for 1920 and the present perfect for changes—is handled correctly and consistently.

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

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