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 given two floor plan of public library compare changes made in 20 years to modernise the facility.

Overall, It can be seen that the central library completely changed over the time the facility it provides as well as to fulfill modern need like cafe and computer.

By looking at the plan of Central library 20 years ago, There were three rooms for different purpose at corner like reading newspaper, children's room as well as computer games room and a Enquiry desk on remaining corner for tickets or book return purpose. Moreover, entrance of the library was at south side of library and at centre, there were two large round table surrounded by chairs to seat and read. Fiction books and non-fiction book can be accessed through empty passage on both side of centre table.

It can clearly seen that in plan of library today, there is many morden facilities introduced like a separate computer room in place of reading room. Computer game room is enlarged and currently used for story telling events with sofas for that and children's fiction books are merged in that room. however, adults non fiction book location is same but information desk is moved and self-service machine are newly introduced at that location. Because at old location of enquiry desk there is a cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response provides a clear overview of the changes and identifies the main features, such as the addition of the cafe, the relocation of the information desk, and the repurposing of the rooms. You have successfully compared the 'before' and 'after' states. However, the description of the layout is occasionally imprecise; for instance, stating that the fiction and non-fiction books were accessed through an 'empty passage' is slightly vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that all spatial relationships are described with greater clarity and precision, perhaps by using more specific directional language to guide the reader through the floor plan.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'however', and 'because', which help the flow. However, the use of referencing is sometimes mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by ensuring each paragraph has a clear thematic focus. The transition between the description of the old library and the new one is functional, but the overall progression could be smoother. Some sentences are slightly disjointed, which occasionally interrupts the logical flow of the description.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'modernise', 'facility', 'enlarged', and 'self-service'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'given two floor plan' (should be 'plans') and 'at corner' (should be 'in the corners'). Additionally, 'modern need' should be pluralized. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. Focusing on more sophisticated collocations related to describing diagrams would enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect readability. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('there is many morden facilities') and article usage ('at south side of library'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and comma usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to pluralization and the correct use of articles when describing specific locations in a diagram.

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

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