Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-05

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 5.0)

The two maps illustrate the changes that took place in public library floor plan before 20 year and now it was redesign.

Overall, it is evident that the area underwent significant development over the period, with several new facilities being constructed, while some existing features were removed or replaced.

Looking at the first entrance will be same after that the most noticeable change in the center tables and chairs remove, However CDs, videos and computer game section now convert in to seating area and add children fiction books and storytelling events. north east of the conner children; books room now develop in lecture room furthermore after that fiction books now move in left side and add self service machines facility and information desk. also enquiry desk was renovated in cafe. reading room replaced by computer room. Overall, the area became more developed and modernised by the end of the period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main changes, such as the removal of tables and the addition of new facilities like the cafe and lecture room. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and lacks a clear, systematic comparison. While the overview is present, it is quite brief. The report would benefit from a more structured approach, perhaps grouping changes by location or function, to ensure all key features are highlighted clearly. Some details, such as the specific locations of the new facilities, are a bit confusingly described, which limits the overall clarity of the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal flow is problematic. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as the awkward transition 'Looking at the first entrance will be same after that'. The sequencing of information is difficult to follow, and the lack of clear logical progression between sentences makes the text feel disjointed. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the paragraphing does not effectively separate the overview from the detailed body paragraphs, which hinders the overall readability of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. There is frequent repetition of basic verbs like 'add', 'remove', and 'change'. Some word choices are awkward or incorrect, such as 'convert in to seating area' and 'children; books room now develop in lecture room'. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of sophisticated collocations and the presence of word-choice errors limit the score. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and nouns related to spatial changes would improve your performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include incorrect verb tenses ('before 20 year and now it was redesign'), missing articles, and faulty sentence construction ('north east of the conner children; books room now develop in lecture room'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of semicolons and commas. While the errors do not completely prevent understanding, they are frequent enough to cause difficulty for the reader and indicate a lack of control over complex structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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