Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-14
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 blueprint depicts the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and the condition in present. At a glance, in center , couple of tables and some chairs had removed and the siting area was moved to the room which is located in top left corner.
At first, in top right corner, the children's room transformed into a lecture room. Secondly, in bottom right corner, the enquiry desk from where people used to purchase tickets and return their books had been replaced by cafe. in the left side of the entrance, the reading room, which was for newspapers and magazines. Thirdly, the room for computer games, CDs and videos had also been replaced by children's fiction book, which was previously located at the place of lecture room. Also the section for storytelling events and sofas for sitting were added in the same room. Lastly, in the middle of the left, the area for adult fiction room and the information desk from bottom right corner, both were transferred to the middle of the right. In addition, there are some self-service machines were added in the middle of the right.
To sum up, most of the sections had been replaced in order to make well organized. However, the middle of right side and the top left corner become more congested in comparison of older view.
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 library floor plan changes. You have identified the key transformations, such as the children's room becoming a lecture room and the addition of a cafe. However, the overview is somewhat weak; it focuses on specific details rather than highlighting the most significant trends, such as the shift from a quiet study space to a more modern, multi-functional facility. Some descriptions are slightly confusing, such as the mention of the 'middle of the right' which is not clearly defined. To improve, ensure your overview captures the 'big picture' of the changes rather than just listing individual room swaps.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the changes. You use some cohesive devices like 'At first', 'Secondly', and 'To sum up'. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel forced. The referencing is sometimes unclear; for example, 'the middle of the right' is used repeatedly without a clear anchor point, making it difficult for the reader to visualize the layout. Improving the use of spatial markers (e.g., 'adjacent to', 'situated in the northern wing') would significantly enhance the logical progression of your description.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'blueprint', 'transformed', and 'congested'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the condition in present' instead of 'the current layout' and 'make well organized' instead of 'improve the organization'. Some phrasing is repetitive, and you rely on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to architectural changes, such as 'relocated', 'converted', 'partitioned', or 'integrated'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'some tables and some chairs had removed' (passive voice error), 'in the left side' (preposition error), and 'there are some self-service machines were added' (double verb error). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall fluency. Focusing on consistent subject-verb agreement and correct passive voice construction will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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