Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02

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 5.0)

The two figures illustrates the significant changes of central public library layout between 20 years ago and today.

Overall, the renovation of the library made the building more technological by adding computer room and self-service machines. however, several facilities has been changed or relocated through the new building structure, however, the tables & chairs no longer exist.

Starting with the top surface of the building, the library was providing computer games rooms which redesigned for storytelling with two sofa in the corners, however the children's books has changed to be the lecture room. Moving to the center of the library, the building relocated the adult fiction books to the right side along with new information desk , it also changed the enquiry desk that focusing on tickets and book returns with new technological self

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified some main features, such as the addition of computer rooms and the relocation of books, the description is incomplete and ends abruptly. You have not fully covered all areas of the floor plan, such as the entrance or the specific changes to the seating areas in detail. To improve, ensure you provide a comprehensive overview of all key changes and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for full development of the information provided in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow is hindered by repetitive use of 'however' and 'it also'. The transition between ideas is sometimes mechanical, and the abrupt ending makes the overall structure feel unfinished. While there is a clear attempt at an overview, the lack of cohesive devices to link the comparison of the two time periods makes the progression of ideas feel disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words such as 'in contrast', 'subsequently', or 'furthermore' to guide the reader through the changes more smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

You have used some relevant vocabulary related to the task, such as 'renovation', 'relocated', and 'layout'. However, there are errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'top surface of the building' (instead of 'north side' or 'upper section') and 'technological' (instead of 'modernized' or 'digitized'). The vocabulary is somewhat limited, and the repetition of basic terms restricts your ability to convey the changes with precision. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs and nouns related to architectural changes will help you achieve a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of your writing. For instance, 'The two figures illustrates' contains a subject-verb agreement error, and 'several facilities has been changed' is also incorrect. You rely mostly on simple sentence structures, and the attempt at complex sentences is often marred by punctuation errors, such as the comma splice after 'new information desk'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and practice using complex structures like relative clauses or passive voice, which are essential for describing floor plans accurately.

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

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