Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-12
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 two digrams compare the central library how it was designed before 20 yeras and how it was nowadays.
Overall,In 20's the cneter part of the librarary was contained the different categories of books while in presence complete libraray becomes different aith added cafe, rooms etc.
Regarding the old library, the entrance was in the south of the map and just right of this enquiry desk where the visitors purchased tickets, issued a books or collect other informaton about the library, on the oposite of this magazine and newspaper department was recognized. On the top this youngsters fiction books was contributed as just opposed to this non-ficton books depart was held for adults.The top part of the library was accounted for play area where children can played and watched videos and top left was contribute for non adult books
Beside this, today librray was changed where the let rop location was held for lecture room, and te right top for storytelling events, sorronding this sofa was places for sitting. The bottom areaof library accounted for cafe in the right and computer rooom in the left whreas the right center contributed for information desk and opposed to this reference books section was present.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the floor plan, identifying key changes such as the addition of the cafe and lecture room. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main features are identified, the comparison between the two time periods is occasionally confusing due to imprecise language (e.g., 'top left was contribute for non adult books'). The response would benefit from a more structured approach that clearly contrasts the layout changes rather than simply listing locations. Some details are slightly inaccurate or vague, which prevents a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Regarding the old library' and 'Beside this', but they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial relationships between the different areas of the library. Paragraphing is present, but the internal progression of ideas within the paragraphs lacks the necessary sophistication to achieve a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'was contained the different categories' and 'was contributed as just opposed to'. The student struggles to use precise terminology for describing a floor plan, relying on basic verbs like 'held', 'contributed', and 'accounted for' in ways that are not always natural. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of variety and the persistent errors in word formation and usage limit the score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a high frequency of grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('library was contained'), tense usage ('can played'), and word order. There is a limited range of sentence structures, and attempts at complex sentences often result in errors that impede clarity. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and incorrect capitalization. While the reader can generally understand the intended meaning, the persistent grammatical inaccuracies are a significant feature of the text and prevent it from reaching a higher band level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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