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 diagram illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 year back and the library after the restoration. the update it has now are having more eminities than before and this report will discuss it.
20 years back, the old library had its tables and chair right in the center of the library and the adult fiction books on both the side. However, now, that place is replaced by the 'all reference books' on the left side and 'Adult book, information desk and self-service machines ' on the right side of the center. It had its entertainment zone on the upper conner on the left side such as Cds, videos, and computer games which is now shifted to the bottom left side of the library where the old reading room was.
Children's fiction books and story telling events are now held in the room where entertainment area was before and that area on the left upper conner is now used as lecture room. The space on the bottom right side is allocated to a Cafe zone where the old Enquire desk was and the entrance of the library is in the front side in the center of the library.
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 floor plan changes, such as the relocation of the entertainment zone and the introduction of the cafe and lecture room. However, the overview is weak; it lacks a clear summary of the most significant trends, such as the transition from a traditional book-focused layout to a more modern, multi-functional space. Some descriptions are slightly confusing, such as the reference to 'both the side' and the specific positioning of the entrance, which could be more clearly articulated. To reach a higher band, ensure the overview highlights the primary transformation rather than just listing changes.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the comparison. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the transition between the past and present could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the referencing is sometimes imprecise, such as 'that place is replaced by', which makes it slightly difficult to track the exact spatial changes. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear referents would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as '20 year back' instead of '20 years ago' and 'eminities' (likely a misspelling of amenities). The use of 'upper conner' is also incorrect. While the student successfully uses some topic-specific vocabulary like 'self-service machines' and 'lecture room', the range is limited. To improve, the student should focus on accurate spelling and using more precise collocations to describe spatial changes.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the update it has now are having') and incorrect prepositional usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper capitalization at the start. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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