Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-12

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 5.0)

The two maps illustrate the infrastructure plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Overall, whole plan was changed. Almost, all sections are changed and totally new sections have been made.

20 years ago, table and chair have been made in centre of library. Adult fiction books located in left and adult non-fiction books in right side. While, section of books for children is in northeast corner of building. Enquiry desk is placed in southeast croner. Computer section located in northwest corner. At last, reading room is at southwest corner.

Now a days, library has changed totally. There is hollow area in centre. On the other hand, lecture room is built on northeast corner. While cafe is at southeast corner on right side of entrance. Computer room is located at right side from entrance from entrance. Adult fiction books section is on right side of entrance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broad change and report several locations, including the former central tables, the adult book areas, and the current lecture room and café. However, the response addresses the plan only minimally: it omits major changes such as the storytelling/children’s fiction room, the reference-book area, the information desk and self-service machines. Some details are inaccurate: the computer room is now in the southwest, not on the right of the entrance, and the former northwest room held CDs, videos and computer games, not a computer section. The overview that “almost, all sections are changed” is too general to summarise the main transformations. The response is also 12 words below the 150-word minimum. Add a clearer overview and accurately compare the key changes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of the earlier and current plans. This gives the reader some organisation, and the time sequence is generally easy to follow. However, progression within the descriptions is limited, and several locations are listed without clear relationships to one another. Linking words are sometimes awkward or repetitive, as in “While” at the start of two sentences and “On the other hand” where a direct comparison would be clearer. The repeated “located” and “is at” patterns also make the account feel list-like. Grouping changes by area or by function, then using precise contrasts such as “whereas” and “in contrast,” would make the progression clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing plans, including “northeast corner,” “centre,” “section,” and “entrance,” so the basic subject is clear. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the description harder to interpret. For example, “infrastructure plan” is not the most suitable term for a library floor plan, and “hollow area” does not clearly describe the central corridor. “Computer section” also misidentifies the former room, which contained CDs, videos and computer games. Spelling errors such as “croner” and “cafe” (for “café”) further reduce accuracy. Use more precise map vocabulary, including “room,” “area,” “located,” and “replaced by,” and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You communicate some basic information through simple sentences, and the past-versus-present contrast is apparent. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur frequently. Examples include missing articles in “in centre of library” and “in left,” incorrect agreement or number in “table and chair have been made,” and the incomplete construction “Adult fiction books located in left.” The sentence beginning “While, section…” is also not a complete, well-punctuated clause. In the final paragraph, “from entrance from entrance” repeats the prepositional phrase and makes the relationship unclear. Practise complete subject–verb sentences, accurate articles and plurals, and controlled use of contrast clauses; proofreading for repeated words would also improve clarity.

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