Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-27

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 8.0)

The diagrams illustrate the layout of Central Library twenty years ago and how it has changed in the present day.

Overall, the library has become more modern and has changed its focus from books and reading to more social and technological activities. Many of the old sections for books have been reduced or removed, while new facilities such as self-service machines and a lecture room have been added.

In the past, the library was divided mainly into areas for different types of books, such as adult fiction, adult non-fiction and children's books, and there was also a reading room for newspapers and magazines. In the middle of the library, there were tables and chairs, and an enquiry desk was located near the entrance.

Nowadays, the reading room and the CDs and videos section no longer exist. Instead, there is a lecture room, and the enquiry desk has been replaced by an information desk. Self-service machines have also been introduced. The children's books area is now used for storytelling events and has sofas for comfort. Adult fiction books remain in the same position, but adult non-fiction has become a section for reference books.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response effectively addresses all parts of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the main trends—specifically the shift from a book-focused space to a more social and technological environment. You successfully identified key changes, such as the removal of the reading room and the introduction of self-service machines. The comparison between the past and present is well-handled, and the selection of features is relevant and accurate. To reach a higher band, ensure you explicitly mention all significant changes shown in the diagram, such as the relocation of the entrance or the specific shift in the layout of the seating areas, to ensure a fully comprehensive report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. You use an introductory paragraph, an overview, and two body paragraphs to structure the information effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In the past', 'Nowadays', and 'Instead' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the comparison. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the past layout from the current one. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the two time periods is clearly established throughout the text, making the response easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey the information with precision. Phrases like 'social and technological activities', 'self-service machines', and 'storytelling events' are used accurately in the context of a library floor plan. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate, it remains somewhat standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or precise descriptive language to describe the spatial changes, such as 'transformed into', 'reconfigured', or 'underwent a significant redesign', rather than relying on simpler verbs like 'changed' or 'added'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'Many of the old sections for books have been reduced or removed, while new facilities... have been added.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To improve further, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using participial phrases or more varied passive constructions to describe the changes in the library's layout.

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