Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-13

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 diagrams illustrate the difference between two floor plan of public library two decades ago and how it looks now.

Overall, the interior of library have been changed a lot. Many new things have been developed for better facilitation. The most notable feature in the diagrams is that the new self-service machines are installed nowadays.

However, the past diagram demonstrates that the library were over loaded with furniture at entrance and the left room were developed for reading newspapers and magazines in hard form, whereas the computers are installed for reading and online research. Moreover, a cafe just right on entrance gate have been added. The children's books room are converted into lecture room. A information desk and some self-service machines are installed just between the lecture room and cafe.

Consequently, the library improved a lot

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified some key changes, such as the addition of self-service machines and the cafe, the summary is underdeveloped. You missed several specific details from the floor plan, such as the relocation of the entrance or the specific layout changes for the book collections. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview of the spatial changes and avoid vague statements like 'many new things have been developed.' A more detailed comparison between the two time periods is necessary to fully address the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into short paragraphs, which is a good start. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. While you use transition words like 'However' and 'Moreover,' the connection between sentences is occasionally mechanical. The final sentence, 'Consequently, the library improved a lot,' is too brief and does not effectively summarize the main trends observed in the diagrams. To improve, ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of cohesive devices to link your observations more fluidly throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors such as 'new things' and 'changed a lot.' Phrases like 'in hard form' are unnatural in this context. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific vocabulary related to floor plans and architectural changes, such as 'reconfigured,' 'relocated,' 'transformed,' or 'designated area.' Focusing on precise collocations will help you convey your observations more professionally and accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues such as 'the interior of library have been changed' (should be 'has been changed') and 'the library were over loaded' (should be 'was overloaded'). Additionally, there are errors in pluralization and article usage, such as 'A information desk' (should be 'An information desk'). While you attempt some complex structures, the high frequency of basic errors limits your score. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage when describing past versus present states.

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.