Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-23

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 6.5)

The picture presents the changes in the floor plan of a public library between two decades ago and now.

Overall, the library today made available a section for refreshments, whereas, less space was made available for people to sit and read.

20 years ago, the ground plan of the library included children's books at the right upper-corner of the plan, while bottom-corner housed the Enquiry desk for tickets and book returns. The Adult non-fiction books were located in the middle of these areas. Following the similar pattern of the right-half of the plan, the left half of the plan included an area for computer games at the upper-corner, while the reading room is situated at the bottom-corner. In the middle of these spaces was Adult fiction books. Furthermore, tables and chairs were placed the middle of the plan, just after the entrance.

The tables and chairs was removed completely to create an empty passage at the center of the plan today. On the right-half of the plan, the children's books were replaced with Lecture room while the Cafe took the place of the enquiry desk. Similarly, the middle area was change to reflect the adult fiction books, information desks and self-service machines. On the left-half of the structure, it now housed sofa, All reference books and computer room.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the library's transformation. You have clearly contrasted the past and present layouts, noting the addition of a cafe and the removal of seating. However, the description of the layout is occasionally confusing; for instance, stating that the 'middle area was change to reflect the adult fiction books' is vague, as the diagram shows a redistribution of functions rather than just a reflection. To improve, ensure that the spatial relationships are described with more precision, perhaps by grouping features more logically (e.g., by functional zones) rather than just listing them side-by-side. Overall, the key changes are covered well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices like 'Furthermore', 'Similarly', and 'On the right-half', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'Following the similar pattern of the right-half of the plan'. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the flow could be improved by using more varied linking phrases to connect the changes in the library's layout more fluidly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two time periods.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'floor plan', 'refreshments', and 'self-service machines' correctly. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the ground plan of the library included children's books', where 'featured' or 'housed' would be more natural. Additionally, there are some awkward phrasings like 'it now housed sofa', which lacks an article and pluralization. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise descriptive language regarding the layout changes, such as 'relocated', 'converted into', or 'replaced by', rather than repeating 'the plan' frequently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. For example, 'The tables and chairs was removed' (subject-verb agreement error), 'the middle area was change' (incorrect verb form), and 'it now housed sofa' (missing article and plural). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that nouns are correctly pluralized when necessary. The use of passive voice is appropriate for describing a floor plan, but ensure the verb tenses are consistent.

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

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