Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

This map shows the floor plan of the general library from twenty years ago and how much it has changed since then.

Firstly, it used to have only CDs, videos, and computer games, which have been replaced by sofas, storytelling events, and children's fiction books. Therefore, the right corner used to be the children's books section, but later it became a lecture room. In the centre, adult fiction books were on the left side and adult non-fiction books on the right side. Later, it was replaced with all reference books, and the right corner was changed; they shifted adult fiction books to the left and right sides and also placed an information desk with the help of self-service machines. Last but not least, the reading room was converted into a computer room and the enquiry desk was replaced with a cafe.

Overall, there were many changes between then and before, but the entrance remains the same.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the library floor plan, but the description is somewhat confusing and lacks precision. While you identify key changes, the spatial relationships are not always clear, and the report lacks a cohesive overview of the transformation. For example, stating that 'adult fiction books were on the left side and adult non-fiction books on the right side' is accurate, but the subsequent explanation of how these areas were rearranged is difficult to follow. To improve, ensure you group information logically (e.g., by area or by type of facility) and provide a clearer summary of the overall trend, such as the shift toward digital and community-focused spaces.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is a good start. However, the logical progression within the body paragraph is weak. The use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, such as 'Firstly' and 'Last but not least', which do not always fit the context of describing a map. Referencing is occasionally unclear; for instance, 'it was replaced with all reference books' is ambiguous regarding what 'it' refers to. To improve, use more precise linking words to show contrast or addition, and ensure that each sentence clearly refers back to a specific part of the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'changed', 'replaced', and 'shifted'. While these are accurate, they are repetitive. To achieve a higher score, incorporate more specific vocabulary related to floor plans and urban planning, such as 'relocated', 'converted into', 'transformed', or 'designated area'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the range of vocabulary is limited, which restricts the ability to describe the changes with nuance and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentences. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'there were many changes between then and before', which is slightly awkward phrasing. The sentence structure is generally functional, but there is a lack of variety in complex structures. Punctuation is generally correct, but some sentences are slightly clunky, which impacts the flow. To improve, try to vary your sentence beginnings and use more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice, to describe the changes (e.g., 'The reading room was converted into a computer room').

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