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 diagrams show the changes that were made to a public library over a period of 20 years.

the library has changed a lot during this period. Some old facilities, such as the reading room and enquiry desk, were removed. At the same time, new facilities like a café, computer room and lecture room were added. Twenty years ago, children’s books were located in the top right corner, while CDs, videos and computer games were in the top left corner. Adult fiction and non-fiction books were in the middle of the library. There was a reading room in the bottom left and an enquiry desk in the bottom right. Tables and chairs were placed in the center.

and now, the children’s fiction section is in the top left corner, with sofas and a storytelling area. Reference books are located below it, and a computer room has been added in the bottom left. On the right side, there is a lecture room, adult fiction books and an information desk. A café and self-service machines have also been added.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the library floor plan, highlighting the key changes over the 20-year period. You successfully identified the removal of certain facilities and the addition of new ones, such as the café and computer room. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary paragraph that synthesizes the most significant trends, such as the shift from a traditional reading space to a more modern, multifunctional facility. While you mention specific locations, the comparison could be more analytical by grouping changes rather than simply listing them. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a distinct overview that highlights the overall transformation of the library's layout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which is a logical approach. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally mechanical. For instance, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt, and the use of 'and now' at the start of the third paragraph is informal and lacks sophistication. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the internal linking within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider range of cohesive markers (e.g., 'In contrast,' 'Furthermore,' 'Subsequently') to better guide the reader through the spatial changes described.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the library's features clearly. You use relevant terms such as 'enquiry desk,' 'fiction section,' and 'self-service machines.' However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. To improve, try to incorporate more precise descriptive language to characterize the changes, such as 'replaced by,' 'converted into,' or 'relocated to.' There is also a minor issue with capitalization and punctuation, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters ('the library' and 'and now'), which affects the overall professional tone of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is generally effective for this task. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow. However, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as the lack of capitalization at the beginning of sentences and the informal use of 'and' to start a paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. To achieve a higher band, aim for more varied sentence structures, such as using passive voice to describe the changes (e.g., 'The reading room was replaced by...') to maintain a formal, objective tone.

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

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