Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-06

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 given diagram significantly illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and the present floor plan, I can say that there are a lot of changes made compared to the previous layout of the library.

As can be seen, the central library twenty years ago had a complete different layout compared to what we are seeing today. The entrance is the same in both the layouts but right after the entrance, two round tables and a few chairs were placed so that people can pick their books of interest and study. Right after the entrance, there is a reading room on the left hand side where people can read newspapers to gain knowledge about what's happening around the world. On the right hand side of the entrance, an enquiry desk is present where people can return books and get their queries clarified. The adult fiction books are accommodated in the left hand side near the chairs and tables, whereas the adult non fiction books are placed on the right hand side. The library also stores CD,s, computer games at the end of the library towards the left where people can play video games as well in a room. In addition to that, there is a separate room where children's books are allocated. Those are strictly for children.

Turning to the present central library floor plan, everything has been changed, with new additions, such as computer room on the left right after entrance and a cafe where people can chill, on the right hand side. There is an all reference books in the middle part of the library on the left, which replaced adult fiction books section, but opposite to that, is the adult fiction books and an information desk and also a series of self-serving machines, the space is congested compared to the previous floor plan. Moreover, there is a new section which has substituted the video game room, it is the storytelling events section which has two couches and also contains children's fiction books. At the right hand side, a lecture room has been added in place of children's book section. Lectures regarding different genres can take place here.

Overall, the new plan has a few advancements over the floor plan which was implemented 20 years ago. In contrast, the old floor plan was more spacious than the present plan

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the library floor plans and made relevant comparisons. You covered both the past and present layouts, noting key changes such as the addition of the cafe and lecture room. However, the response is slightly descriptive rather than analytical. To reach a higher band, focus more on grouping the information logically (e.g., comparing the left and right wings) rather than listing every single item in a linear fashion. The overview is present but could be more concise and focused on the most significant transformations, such as the shift from a purely reading-focused space to a multi-functional community hub.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each time period, and a concluding summary. You use some cohesive devices like 'In addition to that' and 'Turning to the present', which help the flow. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as when you mention 'the space is congested' without clearly linking it to a specific area. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'accommodated', 'substituted', and 'advancements'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'significantly illustrates' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'all reference books' (which should be 'reference books'). Additionally, there are some punctuation errors with pluralization, such as 'CD,s'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'converted', or 'transformed', and ensure your punctuation is accurate to maintain a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'a complete different layout' should be 'a completely different layout', and there are several run-on sentences or comma splices, such as in the first paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of adverbs to modify adjectives to improve your accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.