Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21
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 map below, illustrates the information about the before and now layout of a public library
Overall, there were many changes observed, like the tables and chairs are successfully replaced with the sofa, which is now added along with the children's fiction block.
If we see, before reconstructing the library the entrance was in the South direction. After entering the library on the right side enquiry desk was there for students to buy tickets and books. . And in middle of the room there were chairs and tables for visitors and students to sit. Furthermore, adult fiction and non fiction books were also at the left and right , and after crossing the tables and chairs section at last there was children book section in the North-East direction and computer games room in the North-west direction.
Today, the central library is looking well developed, The Entrance stills remain the same as usual ,But the enquiry desk was replaced with cafe and reading room was converted into computer room. Tables and chairs were also replaced with Sofa along with story telling events and children's fiction book in the North-west direction. Adult fiction books block was mixed with information desk and self service machines
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's transformation, such as the addition of the cafe and the relocation of the children's section. However, the description is somewhat inaccurate; for instance, you mention the entrance remains the same, but the map shows it has moved. Furthermore, the summary of the 'before' state is slightly confusing, and some details are omitted or misidentified. To reach a higher band, ensure you carefully cross-reference the visual data to avoid factual errors and provide a more precise overview of the spatial changes. The overview is present but lacks the clarity needed to fully highlight the most significant trends in the library's layout.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'If we see,' which is not appropriate for an academic report. The progression of ideas is sometimes disjointed, particularly when transitioning between the 'before' and 'now' sections. While there is an attempt to use linking words like 'Furthermore' and 'However,' the flow is frequently interrupted by awkward phrasing and punctuation errors. Improving the logical connection between sentences would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision required for describing diagrams. Phrases like 'looking well developed' and 'as usual' are too informal and imprecise for an Academic Task 1 report. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'fiction block' and 'adult fiction books block,' which sound unnatural. To improve, focus on using more specific terminology related to floor plans, such as 'relocated,' 'converted into,' 'situated,' or 'replaced by.' Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and nouns will help you achieve a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede clarity. For example, 'The Entrance stills remain the same' contains a subject-verb agreement error and an unnecessary adverb. There are also issues with capitalization, such as 'South' and 'North-west,' and inconsistent use of commas. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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