Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given maps illustrate the surface plan of public library which was 20 years ago and it is looks now.

Overall, it is evident that the central library is fully changed and some things newly introduced and some place changed from there place.

Turning to details, 20 years ago, to the right side of entrance, there are enquiry desk which converted into cafe in present. In the centre of right hand, adult non-fiction book is changed into adult fiction and added self-service machine. In the above corner of right side, lecture room is built in the of children book's.

Moving further, to the left hand of entrance, reading room is converted into computer room . Moreover, adult fiction books are transformed into all references books. CDs, videos, computer games are fully changed with children's fiction books and storytelling event's and added two sofas .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main changes, the summary is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the most significant transformations. You have attempted to report the changes, but the description of the layout is occasionally confusing, such as the phrase 'in the above corner of right side'. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the overall trends (e.g., the shift from a quiet study space to a more interactive, technology-focused facility) and ensure you meet the minimum length requirement to fully develop your points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of varied cohesive devices. Phrases like 'Moving further' and 'Turning to details' are used, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is weak. For example, the transition between the description of the enquiry desk and the adult fiction section is abrupt. To improve, use a wider range of linking words and ensure that your sentences flow naturally from one to the next, rather than listing changes in a disjointed manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic verbs like 'changed', 'converted', and 'transformed'. There are also some awkward collocations and phrasing issues, such as 'surface plan' instead of 'floor plan' and 'in the of children book's', which is grammatically incorrect and unclear. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to describing changes, such as 'replaced', 'relocated', 'expanded', or 'modernised', and ensure that you use nouns and possessives correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage ('the enquiry desk'), subject-verb agreement ('there are enquiry desk'), and tense consistency ('which was 20 years ago and it is looks now'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often contain errors, such as 'lecture room is built in the of children book's'. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of articles, prepositions, and correct verb forms when describing past and 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.