Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-27
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 given diagrams illustrate the changing in layout of central library before 20 years ago and its recent upgrading.
Overall, in recent changing public library become more modernise with new equipment's. The rooms are broader in contrast to past layout.
To begin, before 20 years ago library had 3 rooms with enquiry desk on south left side and the table and chairs were placed in centre of hall. In north side two rooms were facilitated with children book and CDs, videos, computer games. The adult fiction and non fiction books counter were in hall and the south side just left to entrance there was reading room and on right side enquiry desk was placed for tickets, book returns etc.
In recent improvements the north left side room area increase with same side entrance and children fiction books counter include in this room and with north wall storytelling events are arrange with sofa sitting. The children books room change into lecture room and the table and chairs remove from hall on west side of hall all reference books are replace with adult fiction books and on east side wall information desk, self service machines and adult fiction books are replace with adult non fiction books area. The reading room change into computer room and in the place of enquiry desk cafe area build for food facilities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the library floor plans, identifying key changes such as the addition of a cafe and the conversion of rooms. However, the description is somewhat confusing in its spatial references, making it difficult for the reader to follow the exact layout changes. While the overview identifies that the library has become more modern, it lacks a clear, concise summary of the most significant structural transformations. The response addresses the task requirements, but the lack of precision in describing the spatial shifts limits the clarity of the report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the flow of information is hindered by awkward phrasing and unclear referencing. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'in the north side' or 'on the south side'. The progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed, particularly when describing the transition from the old layout to the new one. While the overall structure is logical, the lack of sophisticated linking words makes the text feel somewhat disjointed and difficult to navigate.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite repetitive and lacks precision. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'changing in layout' instead of 'changes in the layout' and 'modernise' instead of 'modernised'. The student attempts to describe specific areas, but the terminology is often imprecise (e.g., 'facilitated with children book'). To reach a higher band, the student should focus on using more varied and accurate collocations related to describing maps and floor plans.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Issues include incorrect verb tenses ('library had 3 rooms'), missing articles ('in centre of hall'), and subject-verb agreement errors ('area increase', 'table and chairs remove'). Punctuation is also inconsistent. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these errors prevents the writing from achieving a higher score. More attention to basic sentence construction and proofreading for grammatical accuracy is required.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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