Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The diagram illustrates the change in the central library's floor construction from 20 years ago compared to now. Overall, a significant transformation has occurred, whereas the area remains unchanged.
According to the public library's floor plan from 20 years ago, the section for digital devices was located in the northwest. This was where CDs, videos and computer games were displayed, while books for children were in the northeast. Fiction and non-fiction book areas were constructed separately on both sides of the shared space in the middle, where include two sets of tables and chairs. In the bottom of the map
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under-length, failing to meet the 150-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. The description stops abruptly mid-sentence ('In the bottom of the map'), meaning the current layout and the comparison between the two time periods are entirely missing. Because the response is incomplete, it cannot provide a clear overview or report the main features as required by the prompt. To improve, you must ensure you describe all parts of the diagram, including the 'now' section, and provide a clear summary of the key changes observed between the two time periods.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response shows some attempt at logical organization by starting with an introduction and moving into a description of the past layout. However, the abrupt ending severely disrupts the coherence of the text. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas effectively, and the paragraphing is incomplete. Because the text is unfinished, it is impossible to judge the overall progression of the response. To improve, ensure you complete your sentences and use transition words (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Additionally') to guide the reader through the comparison of the two floor plans.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for describing a floor plan, such as 'digital devices,' 'northwest,' and 'constructed.' However, the range is limited due to the brevity of the text. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'floor construction' (which is less accurate than 'floor plan' or 'layout') and 'where include' (a grammatical error affecting lexical flow). To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial descriptions, such as 'situated,' 'adjacent to,' 'replaced by,' or 'transformed into,' and ensure these are used with correct grammatical structures.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex structures, but the grammatical control is inconsistent. For example, 'where include two sets of tables' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'which included' or 'where there were.' Additionally, the sentence 'In the bottom of the map' is a fragment. The incomplete nature of the writing makes it difficult to assess a full range of structures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that every sentence has a clear subject and a complete predicate. Practice using relative clauses and passive voice, which are essential for describing diagrams.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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