Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-22
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 maps compare the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago with its present layout. as lots of changes are been done over the time.
At present, there are different sections for books and other materials. On the left there are CDs, videos and computer games, adult fiction books, and a reading room which has (newspapers & magazines). On the right there are children’s books, adult non-fiction books and an enquiry desk for (tickets, book returns, etc.). Tables and chairs are located in the centre.
In the future, the library will have a storytelling area with sofas and a lecture room. Children’s fiction and reference books will be moved to the left side while adult fiction books and an information desk will be placed on the right. A computer room and a cafe will also be added.
Overall, the library will become more modern and provide more facilities. The reading room, adult non-fiction section and central tables and chairs will be removed, while several new areas will be introduced.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to accurately interpret the prompt. The task asks for a comparison between the library '20 years ago' and 'now'. However, the student incorrectly interprets the 'now' map as a 'future' plan, using future tense throughout the third paragraph ('the library will have', 'will be moved'). This misinterpretation of the data significantly impacts the accuracy of the report. While the student identifies some main features, the fundamental misunderstanding of the time frame means the task is not fully addressed. To improve, ensure you carefully analyze the labels on the provided diagrams before writing.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a basic attempt at progression from the introduction to the body paragraphs and a concluding summary. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical. For example, the transition between the description of the current library and the 'future' (actually the current) layout is abrupt. While the paragraphing is sufficient, the logical flow is hindered by the factual errors regarding the timeline, which makes the overall progression feel disjointed. Using a wider variety of linking words would help improve the flow between sentences.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the layout of the library. Terms like 'floor plan', 'sections', 'enquiry desk', and 'facilities' are used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. The errors are generally minor and do not impede communication, but the lack of variety keeps the score in the mid-range. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise descriptive language, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', or 'situated' instead of repeating 'there are' or 'will be'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'as lots of changes are been done' (should be 'have been made') and the incorrect use of future tense throughout the third paragraph. Punctuation is generally acceptable, though the use of parentheses for lists is informal and should be avoided in an academic report. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of grammatical slips, particularly with verb tenses, prevents a higher score. Focusing on consistent tense usage and avoiding informal punctuation will 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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