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 library shown 20 years ago only had a few sections and books to refer to but now it not only includes a wide array of book options but also a cozy place to eat.A cafeteria helps to study for long hours and have a good snack at the same place.
The videos and CDs room has now become a small children's space where they can read books while sitting peacefully rather than tables and chairs in the center.As compared to old section of children's book, we can observe that now it includes storytelling events where a lot of interesting stories would be narrated to children.
One other major change we can notice is, the system of issuing and returning.20 years ago, all of that happened at a single desk and now self-service machines have been introduced at the library enabling readers to quit long lines of waiting just to return book.
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 addition of the cafeteria, the conversion of the media room, and the introduction of self-service machines. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary statement, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat informal and relies on subjective commentary (e.g., 'cozy place to eat') rather than objective reporting of the visual data. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory summary of the overall trends and maintain a formal, analytical tone throughout the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the changes. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition 'One other major change we can notice is' is a bit wordy, and the connection between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a formal introduction and a concluding summary affects the overall logical progression of the response. Using a wider variety of linking words would improve the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. Phrases like 'a few sections' and 'book options' are quite general. There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'quit long lines of waiting', which sounds unnatural. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific vocabulary related to floor plans and spatial descriptions, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'partitioned', or 'designated area'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but does not demonstrate flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'rather than tables and chairs in the center' (which lacks a verb or clear comparison) and 'As compared to old section' (missing an article). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some missing spaces after periods. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall clarity. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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