Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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)

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

It is clearly seen from the diagram, today library have well settled rooms with proper setting area.

Turning towards the details, while entering the library there is a reading room on the left side where newspaper and magzines are kept for students where they can enjoy the reading news in leisure time. On the right side of entrance there is a enquiry desk where tickets and book returns facility are available. Centre of library are for table and chairs and on their left side is a adult fiction books and on the right of that are adult non fiction books. And on the end of library at left side there is a space for CDs,videos and computer games and children books space is available on the opposite side of that.

In the case of today library, computer room on the left and cafe on the right side of entrance then on the second left there is a section of all reference books on the opposite side there is a adult fiction books,information desk and self service machines. On the end of library at the left side is a area of children ficton books with sofa sitting and storytelling events on the opposite side is a lecture room.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify both time periods and report many relevant locations, including the former reading room and enquiry desk, and the current computer room, café, reference books and lecture room. However, the response mainly lists features rather than summarising the main changes. The overview that the library has “well settled rooms” is unclear and does not explain the key reorganisation: the central tables and chairs have been removed, several rooms have changed purpose, and new facilities have been added. Some details are also imprecise, such as describing the children’s area as simply “children books” in the earlier plan. Make the overall changes explicit, then select and compare the most significant features.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a broadly understandable order: it describes the earlier plan first and then the current layout, moving from the entrance towards the back. Phrases such as “Turning towards the details” and “In the case of today library” signal this shift, and left/right references help orient the reader. However, the information is presented in two long paragraphs with several details joined by “and,” so relationships between features can become difficult to follow. The repeated pattern of “on the left” and “on the right” also makes the account feel list-like. Use separate, clearly focused paragraphs for each plan and connect them with comparisons such as “whereas” or “by contrast” to show how the layout has changed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library layout, including “reading room,” “adult non fiction books,” “self service machines” and “storytelling events.” These terms make most locations identifiable. However, the range is limited and some phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “well settled rooms,” “proper setting area” and “second left.” Spelling errors in “magzines” and “ficton,” along with inconsistent forms such as “cafe” and “non fiction,” reduce accuracy. Choose standard labels from the plan and use precise spatial language, for example “in the central area,” “at the rear” and “opposite.” This would make the description clearer and more natural without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences to describe several locations, and the reader can generally understand the intended layout. However, sentence structures are often faulty or incomplete, and errors occur frequently. Examples include “today library have,” “Centre of library are for table and chairs,” and “there is a adult fiction books”; these show problems with articles, agreement and singular/plural forms. Some sentences are joined with “And” or run several clauses together, making punctuation and sentence boundaries difficult to control. Use shorter, complete sentences as a foundation, checking subject–verb agreement and articles, then add a few accurate complex comparisons, such as “While the former reading room was on the left, a computer room now occupies that area.”

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