Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-24
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 provided schematic diagram illustrates the blueprint of the floor of a public library two decades ago and the present day.
Overall, the modernization of library took place and revamped it towards commercialization. While development for readers were also taken into consideration.
In the left side of the central library, multimedia section was replaced by furniture, event space, and children's fiction book section in the top of north-west corner. Before refurbishment, adult fiction books were in the west side of the library, which is now shifted to the east side and all the reference books placed there. The original reading room situated in the south-west corner replaced by a computer room.
Coming to the central and right part of the library, tables and chairs, and adult non-fiction books were removed from the central and east part. The enquiry desk shifted to the middle of the right side of library and a new cafe was introduced there. On the top of the north-east corner, a lecture room was constructed. However, Adult non-fiction book section is now no more.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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 well. You have identified the key shifts, such as the relocation of the adult fiction section and the introduction of the cafe and lecture room. However, the overview is slightly weak; it focuses on 'commercialization' rather than summarizing the physical layout changes, which is the primary task. Additionally, there is a factual error in the final sentence where you claim the adult non-fiction section is 'no more,' whereas the diagram shows it has been relocated to the west side. To reach a higher band, ensure your overview highlights the most significant structural changes and double-check your data interpretation.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs focusing on different areas of the library. You use some cohesive devices like 'In the left side,' 'Before refurbishment,' and 'However' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions between sentences feel abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be improved by grouping the changes more logically (e.g., by zone rather than just left/right). Overall, the progression of ideas is sufficient to follow the description of the changes.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'schematic diagram,' 'modernization,' 'refurbishment,' and 'relocated.' There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'revamped it towards commercialization' and 'in the top of north-west corner' (which should be 'in the north-west corner'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and prepositions would enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the blueprint of the floor of a public library') and prepositions ('in the left side,' 'in the top of north-west corner'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'While development for readers were also taken into consideration,' where the subject-verb agreement is incorrect. Despite these errors, the meaning is generally clear, and the mistakes do not significantly impede communication. To improve, focus on article usage and subject-verb agreement.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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