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 diagram shows the floor plan explaining the difference in how a public library used to look like 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Earlier the Libraries had the seating areas in the middle of the floor but nowadays there is less seating space. The enquiry desk where people used to book tickets, return their books, etc are replaced by self service station. There were CDs, Videos and computer games earlier but they are non existent now. As compared to the old structure there used to be a lot of spaces called as reading room where people used to read newspapers and magazines but now it is again replaced with a computer room where people can browse their topic of interest on the internet.

The library is evolved along with the world and it has been made according to the need of the people in the current time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the floor plan, such as the removal of media items and the introduction of self-service stations. However, the analysis is somewhat superficial. You mention that seating areas have decreased, but you do not provide specific details about the layout changes, such as the relocation of the children's area or the addition of the study area. To reach a higher band, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview of the spatial changes rather than just listing general observations. The summary is accurate but lacks the depth of comparison required for a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical. Phrases like 'Earlier' and 'As compared to' are used, but the transition between the description of the old library and the new one could be smoother. The final paragraph is a bit disconnected from the main body of the report. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the flow and logical structure of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You rely on basic verbs like 'look like' and 'replaced'. While the meaning is clear, the range of vocabulary is limited. To improve, try to incorporate more descriptive language related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'converted', or 'expanded'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the overall lexical range does not demonstrate the flexibility required for a higher band score. Focus on using more academic collocations to describe the changes in the floor plan.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'The library is evolved' (should be 'The library has evolved') and 'called as reading room' (should be 'called a reading room'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article errors throughout the text. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential when describing changes in a diagram.

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

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