Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

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

Central Library 20 years ago

Student answer (Band 5.5)

if we compare the old and modern layout of the library. we can clearly see the differences in there. the most prominent thing seen is that the library looks more spacious in the center. As 20 years ago while entering the library first thing one would notice are the open chairs and tables placed right in the center which would effect in the movement kf students from left to right. apart from that a cafe has also been opened in library moving the enquiry desks so the students can also eat and read at the same time. and it has been made more easier to collect and return the books because of the addition of self service machines. the overall layout if the library is still the same but reading room has been modifed into computer room as per advancement in technology. all reference books have been added and the non fiction books had been removed. also sofa's has been installed and kids have their own room for their fictional books and story telling events and one room has been left for lectures

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs, the addition of a café and self-service machines, and the conversion of the former reading room into a computer room. You also mention the new children’s area and lecture room. However, the response does not give a clear, accurate overview of the main reorganisation: for example, adult non-fiction was removed, but the former adult-fiction area became the reference-book area, while adult fiction moved to the right side. The claim that the layout is “still the same” is too broad given these changes. Some details are unclear or inaccurate, such as saying the enquiry desk was moved without explaining its replacement by an information desk. A more systematic comparison of the main areas would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response includes a recognisable sequence of comparisons, moving from the central space to the café, machines, book areas and new rooms. Basic linking phrases such as “apart from that” and “also” help connect some points. However, the ideas are presented as one continuous paragraph, with no clear introduction, overview and organised detail sections. Several transitions feel abrupt, and the opening fragment, “if we compare the old and modern layout,” does not establish a clear progression. The repeated use of “and” also makes relationships between changes difficult to follow. Group the changes by location or function, and use clear references such as “on the left” and “in contrast” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “layout,” “enquiry desk,” “self service machines,” “reference books” and “story telling events.” These terms show an attempt to report specific features rather than relying only on general language. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or awkward: “open chairs” does not clearly describe the tables and chairs, “effect in the movement” is not a natural expression, and “fictional books” should refer to fiction books. Spelling and form errors such as “modifed” and “sofa’s” also reduce accuracy. Use precise location and change vocabulary, and check spelling and collocations before finishing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts some longer structures, including “As 20 years ago while entering the library…” and “because of the addition of self service machines,” but these are often faulty or incomplete. The opening, “if we compare the old and modern layout,” is a sentence fragment, and the next sentence begins with a lower-case letter. There are frequent problems with agreement and verb forms, as in “first thing one would notice are” and “sofa’s has been installed.” Articles and sentence boundaries are also inconsistent, while the final sentence runs several ideas together without clear punctuation. These errors sometimes make the intended relationships difficult to understand. Practise writing complete sentences with one main comparison each, then check subject–verb agreement and punctuation.

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