Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-31

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 map illustrates how the library's layout changed completely after 20 years.

According to the map, 20 years ago, the centre of the library had chairs and tables, but after two decades, that space became a corridor. The right side of the entrance was an enquiry desk. However, that place was changed into a small cafe. The children's books room had been changed into a lecture room.

As can be seen from the map, the reading room was changed into a computer room, which is beside the left side of the entrance. The significant change was that they changed the adult fiction books room into a reference book room. In addition, the most distracting room was changed into story travelling books and children's fiction books. Although they also added a sofa in that room for children.

All in all, the central library experienced the most significant change in the 20 years.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the library layout changes, such as the conversion of the reading room and the addition of the cafe. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the most significant trends, which is essential for a high band score. While you mention that the library 'changed completely', you do not group the information logically (e.g., structural changes vs. functional changes). Some details are slightly inaccurate or confusing, such as the description of the 'story travelling books' room, which is not clearly explained. To improve, ensure you provide a distinct overview paragraph that highlights the primary transformation of the space.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is somewhat mechanical. You use basic linking words like 'According to', 'However', and 'In addition', but the progression of ideas feels like a list of observations rather than a cohesive report. The paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is very brief and does not effectively synthesise the information. To improve, try to use more sophisticated cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus, such as grouping all the changes on the left side of the library together.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'that place was changed' and 'the most distracting room' are imprecise or unnatural in this context. You rely on repetitive verbs such as 'changed' throughout the text. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of synonyms and more specific vocabulary related to floor plans and spatial changes, such as 'converted', 'transformed', 'relocated', or 'replaced'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the library's layout changed completely after 20 years' (which implies the change happened at the end of the period rather than over it) and 'beside the left side of the entrance' (which is redundant). The use of passive voice is attempted but sometimes results in awkward phrasing, such as 'the most distracting room was changed into'. Focus on improving the accuracy of your verb tenses and reducing redundant prepositions.

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

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