Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-10
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 public library's floor plan has been chnaged over a past 20 years. Although some of the areas are seemde to be the same dimensions but a few are being changed due to the passsed course of time. When we look at the plan of 20 years ago and library today, we definitely are going to feel a huge difference at the entrance. The old plan had a pair of table sets in the center of hallway but those are not here now. On the right side of entrance, there lies a round edged enquiry desk in the old plan but now it is acquired by a cafe. The reading room on the left side of the entrance has been changed into a computer room. Entering the main courtyard, you may find adult fiction books, a small information desk and some self-service machines but it was only dedicated to adult non-fiction 20 years back. Looking at the top right corner of the mapp, the children's books room is now turned into lecture room. On the left to it, there lies a bigger room than the planned one and it is now used for storytelling events.
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 covers the main features of the floor plan changes well. You successfully identified key transformations, such as the conversion of the reading room to a computer room and the enquiry desk to a cafe. However, the response lacks a clear overview or summary paragraph, which is essential for Task 1. While you mention the changes, the report is somewhat descriptive and lacks a cohesive summary of the most significant trends or overall shifts. To improve, ensure you include an introductory sentence that paraphrases the prompt and a concluding overview that highlights the most striking changes observed between the two time periods.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized logically, moving from the entrance through the various rooms. However, the text is presented as a single block paragraph, which significantly impacts the readability and structure. IELTS Task 1 responses should be divided into clear paragraphs (Introduction, Overview, and Body paragraphs). While you use some cohesive devices like 'On the right side' and 'Looking at the top right corner', the lack of paragraphing makes the flow feel mechanical. Using transition words to link ideas between sentences more effectively would also improve the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the changes, such as 'acquired by a cafe' and 'turned into a lecture room'. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'passsed course of time' and 'round edged enquiry desk'. Additionally, there are minor spelling errors like 'chnaged', 'seemde', and 'mapp'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure accurate spelling. Expanding your range to include more descriptive verbs and nouns related to architectural changes would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'has been chnaged over a past 20 years' (article usage), 'some of the areas are seemde to be' (incorrect verb form), and 'On the left to it' (preposition error). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on subject-verb agreement, correct tense usage for describing past versus present states, and refining your use of articles.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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