Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-26

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 structure of central Library 20 years ago has a entrance in the middle of the building. On the left side of the entrance, there is a reading room which comprises of various newspapers and magazines. On the right side of the entrance there is an enquiry desk, where people can obtain tickets and return books. In the centre, there are tables and chairs for the people who want to study the books there. In the main hall, on one side there are adult fiction books for the adult people and on the other side there are adult non-fiction books which make people aware of the reality of life. In the corner which is next to the adult non-fiction books, there is a room for children's books and in the other corner which is located infront of the hall area where adult fiction books are located. Now the form of the central library today has an entry door in between the two rooms which are present in the front line. In the main hall, next to the computer room there is a place where all reference books are available. On the other hand, there is a portion of adult fiction books in the centre of the building. Moreover, an information desk and self-service machines are also placed in the place which is next to the cafe area in the central library. In the one end of the building, there is an apartment where children's fiction books and storytelling books are present. In that portion, there are two sofas for the persons who want to read the books at that place. In the other extreme corner of the building, there is a lecture room, where lectures on different interesting topics are delivered to the people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the changes in the library layout; however, it fails to provide a clear overview or summary of the main trends. The description is essentially a list of features rather than a comparative analysis. The student describes the 'past' and 'present' in two separate blocks without effectively highlighting the significant transformations, such as the shift from a reading room to a computer room or the addition of a cafe. The lack of an introductory overview and the failure to synthesize the information prevent this from reaching a higher band. To improve, you must identify the most striking changes and present them in a clear, comparative manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into two main paragraphs, but the internal flow is mechanical. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas; sentences are often strung together with simple conjunctions or start with repetitive phrases like 'In the...'. The progression of information is somewhat chaotic, jumping between different areas of the library without a clear spatial logic. While the paragraphing is present, the lack of effective signposting makes it difficult for the reader to follow the comparison between the two time periods. Using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'whereas', 'in contrast', 'subsequently') would significantly improve the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally functional but repetitive and lacks the precision required for describing diagrams. Phrases like 'adult people' and 'the place which is next to' are wordy and unnatural. There is little attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary related to floor plans or architectural changes. While the meaning is generally clear, the range is limited, and the phrasing is often simplistic. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise terminology such as 'relocated', 'replaced by', 'transformed into', or 'situated in the vicinity of' to describe the changes in the library layout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, they are often marred by awkward phrasing or minor errors, such as 'which comprises of' (should be 'comprises' or 'is comprised of') and 'infront of' (should be 'in front of'). There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. The grammar is generally understandable, but the lack of variety in sentence structure and the persistent minor errors limit the score. Incorporating more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice for describing changes, would enhance the quality of the writing.

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

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