Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-28
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 two maps show the overall view of a public library. The first one show the view 20 years ago and the second one shows the library at present time. The details will be described in the below paragraph.
According to the maps 20 years ago there were two Table and chairs set in front of entrance. To the right of the entrance there was the enquiry desk of the of the library. and left was reading room which was having newspapers and magazines to read. At the right of the tables there was a section of adult non-fiction books. And left was the section of adult fiction books. At the end-right corner of the library there was a separate room having children's books. and the right corner was a room of computer based accessories. At the present the table and chairs are removed from the library. The enquiry desk is removed and instead a café is built at that place. Instead of enquiry desk three self service machines are deployed which handle tickets, book returns, etc. Reading room is replaced with computer room. In front of self service machines there is a information desk. At the other side the adult fiction books is shifted to at the front of information desk. The old section of adult fiction books is replaced by all reference books. The children's books room is replaced by lecture room and computer accessories room is replaced by story telling events room children's fiction books.
Overall the library is seen to be totally changed many things are removed some are shifted and many are newly added which were not present 20 years ago. The only thing which is same is the total area of the library.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all key features of the floor plan comparison. You successfully identified the major changes, such as the removal of the enquiry desk and the addition of the café and self-service machines. However, the description is somewhat list-like and lacks a clear, analytical overview that synthesizes the changes. While you mention that the library has 'totally changed,' a more effective overview would highlight the shift from a traditional book-focused space to a more modern, technology-driven environment. The reporting of locations is generally accurate, though some spatial descriptions are slightly repetitive.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the past to the present. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'At the right of...', 'And left was...'). There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas smoothly between sentences. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the internal flow within the paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of transition signals to show contrast or addition more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the various sections of the library clearly. You use specific terms like 'enquiry desk,' 'self-service machines,' and 'reference books' correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs like 'is,' 'are,' and 'removed.' To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial changes, such as 'relocated,' 'transformed,' 'converted,' or 'replaced by,' to avoid repetitive phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the enquiry desk of the of the library') and prepositions ('at the front of information desk'). Subject-verb agreement is occasionally inconsistent, such as 'there were two Table and chairs set.' While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the content, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall fluency. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for minor errors would improve the score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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