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)
There are two diagrams given which illustrates that how's the library looked 20 years ago and ho it is looking in present day.So as we can see in the first diagram,there is a section holding CDs,videos and computer games but in the second diagram which shows our present library structure there is no specific department of it.After that when we come on the top right corner of the previous library map there are shelves containing children's books although in the present library it shifted towards the up left corner of the given map in addition with storytelling events and sofas.If we see the mid of the first map there are some tables&chairs,on the other hand in the current library there is no particular area for it.The previous library contains adult fiction books on the left mid section and adult non-fiction books on the right mid space anyhow in the new library adult fiction book section is on the right mid part which also holds the information desks and self service machines.When we come to the last right corner of the old library there is a enquiry desks and there is a reading room in front of it.Furthermore when we come to the last right corner of the new central library it has a cafe and lastly it has a computer room on the last left corner containing all reference books beside it.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| 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 floor plan changes, such as the relocation of the children's area and the introduction of a cafe. However, the report lacks an overview paragraph, which is essential for a Band 7 or higher. The information is presented as a list of changes rather than a cohesive summary of trends. While the key features are identified, the lack of a clear summary of the most significant changes (e.g., the modernization of the facility) limits the score. The description is accurate, but the lack of an introductory overview and a concluding summary makes the response feel like a series of observations rather than a structured report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single, dense paragraph, which negatively impacts readability and structure. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'After that', 'Furthermore', and 'on the other hand', but they are often used mechanically or inappropriately to link disparate points. The progression of ideas is somewhat repetitive, as the writer moves back and forth between locations without a clear logical flow. To improve, the student should use paragraphing to separate different areas of the library or group changes by theme (e.g., removals, additions, and relocations). Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the spatial changes.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. The student relies on basic descriptive language such as 'top right corner', 'mid section', and 'last left corner'. There is an attempt to use specific terms like 'enquiry desks' and 'self service machines', but the overall range is limited. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'illustrates that how's the library looked' and 'in addition with'. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to spatial descriptions, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'transformed', or 'replaced by'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('There are two diagrams given which illustrates'), tense consistency ('how's the library looked'), and article usage. The sentence structures are predominantly simple or compound, with limited use of complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing spaces after commas. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic sentence construction prevents a higher score. Focusing on sentence variety and proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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