Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-26
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)
I am summarising the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.
The diagram in this essay shows the public library 20 years ago and it looks different today. There was a table and chairs in front of entrance but in present situation there are no tables and chairs. Enquiry desk was replaced with a cafe and the reading room replaced with computer room.
Children books room is replaced with lecture room. Events room is situated on the west side of the library. All reference books and other books also present in today's library.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the response identifies some key changes, such as the replacement of the enquiry desk with a cafe and the reading room with a computer room, it lacks a clear overview and fails to provide a comprehensive summary of the main features. The description is fragmented and misses several details present in the diagram, such as the relocation of the children's area or the specific layout changes. To improve, you must provide a clear introduction, a distinct overview of the main trends, and more detailed comparisons of the spatial changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is very brief, making it difficult to establish a logical flow or effective paragraphing. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link the sentences, resulting in a list-like structure rather than a cohesive report. For example, the transition between the description of the entrance and the internal rooms is abrupt. To improve, you should group related information into paragraphs and use linking words (e.g., 'whereas', 'in contrast', 'subsequently') to guide the reader through the comparisons between the two time periods.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple verbs like 'replaced' and 'shows'. While the terms used are accurate enough to convey the basic meaning, there is no attempt to use a wider range of vocabulary to describe spatial changes or trends (e.g., 'transformed', 'converted', 'relocated', 'expanded'). The language is functional but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band score. Expanding your vocabulary to include more descriptive nouns and verbs related to architectural changes would greatly enhance your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response consists mostly of simple sentences. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which limits the grammatical range. While there are few major errors, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'in present situation' (should be 'in the present') and 'All reference books and other books also present' (which lacks a verb). To improve, focus on incorporating complex sentences using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions, and ensure that articles (a/the) are used correctly throughout your descriptions.
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