Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-29

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)

The map illustrates the layout of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Overall, a public library has been modernized with several new amenities such as computer room, a cafe and a lecture room

By 20 years ago, there were tables and chairs in the center of the library, which now have been removed. Meanwhile, on the northwest side of the library, CDs, videos, and computer games have been converted into storytelling events and a children's fiction books area, and two sofas are installed on each side of the corner's middle. Adult fiction books are removed and replaced by all reference books, and a reading room, which contained newspapers and magazines were demolished, and the computer room is being built.

On the northeastern corner, a children's books area is converted into a lecture room. Moreover, in the middle of the east corner, adult non-fiction books are transformed into adult fiction books on the upper side of the portion, an information desk in the middle, and three self-service machines are being installed on the lower side. Last, the cafe is constructed in place of an enquiry desk that contained tickets or book returns. Hence, this proposed development brings a significant change to the layout of a public library.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all key changes between the two floor plans. You have successfully identified the main features, such as the removal of tables and the addition of new facilities like the cafe and lecture room. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the transformation. However, some descriptions are slightly confusing, such as the mention of 'two sofas are installed on each side of the corner's middle,' which is difficult to visualize based on the prompt. To improve, ensure that spatial descriptions are precise and directly linked to the provided diagram to avoid ambiguity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, moving from an overview to specific areas of the library. You use cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile,' 'Moreover,' and 'Last' to guide the reader through the changes. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing of locations (e.g., 'upper side of the portion') is occasionally unclear. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that the progression between sentences is smoother, particularly when describing complex spatial shifts.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'modernized,' 'amenities,' 'demolished,' and 'transformed.' There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'By 20 years ago' (which should be 'Twenty years ago') and 'on the upper side of the portion,' which sounds unnatural. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Incorporating more specific collocations related to architectural changes or floor plan descriptions would enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a public library has been modernized' (should be 'the public library'), 'which contained newspapers and magazines were demolished' (missing a subject or relative pronoun structure), and 'the computer room is being built' (tense inconsistency, as the map shows the current state, not an ongoing process). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage when describing static diagrams.

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

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