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 diagram below illustrates the current transformation floor plan of a public library from 20 years ago.

Overall, additional structures were introduced and consequently depicting a modern building.Self service machines were introduced there by improving customer satisfaction.

The reading room which only had newspapers and magazines was replaced by computer room there by granting customers access to technology.

The passage after the entrance of the library which was occupied by tables and chairs have been removed, hence making the place neat.

Reference area was also introduced

The children’s room was mordenized and made interesting with introduction of storytelling events, couches provided to make the children relax and comfortable while listening to stories and reading fiction books.CDs, videos, computer games were no longer included in the plan.

Most importantly, a cafe was introduced to provide meals and refreshments to the customers as they enjoy the services provided.This new development improved customer satisfaction .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main changes, such as the introduction of the cafe and the computer room. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the overall transformation. The description of the changes is somewhat disjointed, and some details are presented as subjective interpretations (e.g., 'improving customer satisfaction') rather than objective reporting of the visual data. To improve, you should focus on grouping the changes logically—such as additions, removals, and modifications—and ensure that the summary provides a clear, high-level comparison of the library's evolution over the two decades.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks proper paragraphing, which is essential for a clear report. The flow between sentences is often mechanical, relying on repetitive structures like 'was introduced' or 'there by'. While there is a basic attempt to sequence information, the lack of clear logical progression and the absence of distinct paragraphs make the text difficult to follow. Using a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', 'Additionally') and organizing the response into an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs would significantly improve the coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely heavily on basic verbs like 'introduced' and 'provided'. There are also some minor errors in word formation, such as 'mordenized' (spelling) and 'there by' (should be 'thereby'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more specific vocabulary related to floor plans and spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'converted', 'expanded', or 'demolished', and ensure accurate spelling throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. For example, 'The passage... have been removed' contains a subject-verb agreement error (should be 'has'). Punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with spacing after periods. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in grammar and punctuation limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent sentence structure will help improve the accuracy of your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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