Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-16

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 6.5)

The diagrams illustrate the 20 years of transition of a public library into a more sophisticted place for reading and knowledge sharing.

Overall, it can be said that the old library floor has been changed drasticlly by utilising the spaces more effectively. Furthermore, the new library presently accommodates more technological advancements compared to the old one.

20 years ago, the left corner was utlised for storing CDs and videos and playing computer games. While the right corner was dedicated for children's books. The main hall was a bit congested because of the tables and chairs, while there was a place for adult fiction and non-fiction books in the left and right side of the main hall. There was an enquiry desk near to the entrance and the left side of entrance was the reading room.

Today, the entrance remains as same but the enquiry desk has been converted into a cafe. Similarly, the reading room has transitioned as a computer room. Tables and chairs in the main hall has been removed and the right side has been utilised to accommodate the information desk and self-service machines. The childrens area has been converted as the lecture room and the right corner has been transitioned as an interactive space by adding sofas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the library floor plan and provided a clear comparison between the two time periods. You covered all key areas, such as the conversion of the enquiry desk into a cafe and the relocation of the children's area. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide more precise spatial descriptions; for instance, instead of saying 'left side of the main hall', you could specify the exact location relative to other features. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow a chronological and spatial progression. You use cohesive devices like 'While', 'Similarly', and 'Furthermore' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by grouping the changes more thematically rather than just listing them. The flow is generally smooth, and the information is easy to follow, which demonstrates a good level of control over the structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transitioned', 'accommodates', and 'technological advancements'. There are some spelling errors, such as 'sophisticted' and 'drasticlly', which slightly detract from the quality of the writing. Additionally, some word choices could be more precise; for example, 'converted as' should be 'converted into'. While you successfully convey the meaning, increasing your use of less common lexical items and ensuring accurate spelling would help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'While the right corner was dedicated for children's books'. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'The childrens area has been converted as the lecture room' (should be 'into') and 'Tables and chairs... has been removed' (subject-verb agreement error: 'have been'). Despite these errors, the meaning remains clear throughout the text. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions when describing spatial changes.

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

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