Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the floor plan of a central library twenty years ago and how it looks today.

Overall, the central library has changed substantially. Several features, such as a lecture room, a cafe, a

computer room and sofas were added to the library. In contrast, the tables and chairs and reading room for newspapers and magazines were removed.

Twenty years ago, CDs, videos and computer games were located in the top left corner of the central library while the children's books were positioned on the top right side. However, tables and chairs, were located in the center of the library and adult fiction books were on the left side, while adult non-fiction books were on the right side of the tables and chairs. On the other hand, reading room for newspapers and magazines was on the left side of the entrance, whereas enquiry desk was located on the right side of the entrance.

Today, many of these original features have disappeared. The children's books have been replaced with a lecture room, while the CDs, videos and computer games have been replaced with children's fiction books, storytelling events and sofas. The reading room and enquiry desk have been replaced with a computer room and cafe, respectively. In addition, adult fiction books have been replaced with all reference books, while the adult non-fiction books have been replaced with an information desk and self-service machines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all requirements of the task. You have provided a clear overview of the major changes and supported this with specific details from the floor plans. The comparison between the two time periods is well-structured, and you have successfully identified the key features that were added, removed, or relocated. The information is accurate and logically presented, ensuring the reader can easily follow the transformation of the library. To reach a higher band, ensure that the overview highlights the most significant trends (such as the shift from a book-focused space to a more multipurpose facility) even more explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the past and present layouts. You have used a variety of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition' to link your ideas effectively. The progression of information is smooth, moving from the general layout to specific changes. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two time periods. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, which helps the reader navigate the changes easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the floor plan changes, including terms like 'illustrates', 'substantially', 'relocated', and 'multipurpose' (implied). The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic report. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks a slightly higher degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the vocabulary used is well-suited to the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The children's books have been replaced with a lecture room, while the CDs... have been replaced with children's fiction books'. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The use of passive voice is appropriate for describing changes in a layout. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures to demonstrate even greater flexibility, though the current control is already quite strong.

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

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