IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: University Sports Centre Redevelopment
The Task:
The plans below show the layout of a university’s sports centre now, and how it will look after redevelopment.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

Task 1
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Band 9 Model Answer
The provided plans illustrate the current layout of a university sports centre alongside the proposed architectural modifications for its future redevelopment.
Overall, the sports centre is slated to undergo significant expansion and modernization. The most prominent change is the complete enclosure of the facility, transitioning it from a mixed indoor-outdoor complex into a fully indoor amenity. Furthermore, the redevelopment introduces several new commercial and recreational spaces.
Looking at the current layout, the centre consists of a central reception area, a gym, a single changing room, a 25-metre pool, and two large outdoor courts positioned on the east and west sides of the building.
According to the proposed plans, the existing outdoor courts will be entirely demolished to make way for new indoor extensions. The former western outdoor court will be replaced by a spacious new sports hall, while the eastern court will be transformed into a leisure pool and two newly constructed dance studios.
Significant upgrades are also planned for the original central infrastructure. The main gym will be substantially enlarged, extending further north, and a second changing room will be added adjacent to the existing one to accommodate increased foot traffic. Finally, the reception area will be heavily commercialized, featuring the addition of a dedicated sports shop and a café, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Achievement: The answer flawlessly summarizes the two maps, completely replacing the repetitive, conversational phrasing of the original draft (“is going to become”, “is going to appear”). The overview perfectly highlights the overarching theme: the transition to a fully indoor facility with expanded amenities.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are logically organized spatially and chronologically (Overview -> Current Layout -> Planned Extensions -> Central Upgrades). Transition phrases guide the reader smoothly (Overall, Looking at the current layout, According to the proposed plans, Finally).
- Lexical Resource: Uses precise, advanced vocabulary appropriate for describing architectural changes and urban planning (slated to undergo significant expansion, complete enclosure, entirely demolished, substantially enlarged, heavily commercialized).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Employs a superb mix of complex sentence structures flawlessly, heavily utilizing the passive voice required for describing civic and architectural developments (will be entirely demolished, will be transformed, will be substantially enlarged).
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: The Paradox of Global Hunger
The Task:
In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry.
Why is this the case?
What can be done about this problem?
Write at least 250 words.
Task 2
Band 9 Model Essay
In the modern era, agricultural technology has evolved exponentially, yielding genetically modified crops, automated farming machinery, and highly efficient fertilizers. Despite this unprecedented capacity for mass food production, a devastating paradox persists: millions of people globally still suffer from chronic starvation. This tragic reality is primarily driven by inequitable food distribution and geopolitical instability, but it can be mitigated through localized agricultural investment and rigorous supply chain reforms.
The foremost cause of global hunger is not a lack of food, but rather the severe inequality in its distribution. Wealthy, developed nations frequently produce massive surpluses of food, much of which is tragically wasted due to strict cosmetic retail standards or overconsumption. Conversely, developing nations often lack the fundamental infrastructure—such as refrigerated transport, secure storage facilities, and paved roads—required to prevent post-harvest spoilage and deliver food to rural populations. Furthermore, geopolitical conflicts severely exacerbate the crisis. In war-torn regions, agricultural lands are frequently destroyed, trade routes are blockaded, and international food aid is weaponized or intercepted, leaving millions of innocent civilians highly vulnerable to famine.
To effectively combat this pervasive issue, a multi-faceted approach is urgently required. Firstly, international organizations and affluent governments must shift their focus from merely providing emergency food aid to investing heavily in localized agricultural infrastructure. By equipping farmers in developing nations with modern irrigation systems, robust storage silos, and drought-resistant seeds, communities can establish long-term, self-sufficient food security.
Secondly, sweeping policy reforms are needed in the developed world to optimize the global supply chain and drastically reduce food waste. Governments should implement strict regulations that heavily penalize corporate food waste, while simultaneously incentivizing supermarkets to donate unsold, edible goods to local charities and global relief funds.
In conclusion, the persistence of global hunger amidst agricultural abundance is a profound systemic failure rooted in unequal distribution networks and regional conflicts. However, by prioritizing the development of sustainable, local agricultural infrastructure and aggressively minimizing food waste in affluent nations, the international community can take decisive steps toward eradicating this humanitarian crisis once and for all.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Response: The essay perfectly addresses both questions in the prompt. It thoroughly explains why this happens (inequitable distribution, lack of infrastructure, geopolitical conflict) and clearly outlines what can be done (investing in local infrastructure, policy reforms to reduce waste).
- Coherence & Cohesion: The essay utilizes a highly effective four-paragraph structure. Transition phrases guide the reader effortlessly through the complex arguments (The foremost cause, Conversely, Furthermore, To effectively combat this, Secondly, In conclusion).
- Lexical Resource: Showcases an exceptional, sophisticated vocabulary suited for an economic and sociological discursive essay (evolved exponentially, devastating paradox, inequitable food distribution, geopolitical instability, weaponized, sweeping policy reforms).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a wide variety of complex grammatical structures perfectly, creating a highly persuasive, authoritative, and academic tone.
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