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 diagrams illustrate the significant change to the central public library between 20 years ago and today.
In general, the library has faced several changes in their building structure that made it more modern. However, the renovation made most of the facilities to be relocated or removed although the entrance remained as before.
Starting with the two rooms that near to the entrance. Reading room has relocated to be with the reference books as well as the enquiry desk that focuses on tickets and book returns has renovated to become three self-service machines. these machine placed along with the new information desk and the adult fiction books which was for adult non-fiction books. However, the computer room and the café have taken their place.
Moving to the top, the library was have a computer games which has renovated to become more spacious to have the children's fiction books along with storytelling events and two sofas. Furthermore, the children's books room have been changed to become the lecture room
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response provides a general overview of the changes, but it fails to clearly identify and report all main features. While you mention the relocation of the reading room and the introduction of self-service machines, the description of the layout changes is often confusing. For instance, stating that adult fiction books 'was for adult non-fiction books' is unclear, and the summary of the top section lacks precision regarding the specific spatial transformations. To improve, ensure you clearly contrast the 'before' and 'after' states for each specific area of the library, ensuring the reader can visualize the changes without needing to refer back to the original diagram constantly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'Starting with the two rooms that near to the entrance' and 'Moving to the top' are somewhat simplistic. Furthermore, referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'these machine placed along with...', where the connection to the previous sentence is grammatically disjointed. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, logical progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic verbs like 'made', 'changed', and 'taken their place'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the library was have a computer games' and 'the renovation made most of the facilities to be relocated'. To improve, try to use more specific terminology related to floor plans and spatial changes, such as 'converted into', 'replaced by', or 'underwent a significant transformation'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede readability. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('the library was have', 'the children's books room have been changed') and incorrect sentence structures ('these machine placed along with'). While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often marred by errors in tense or word order. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensure that your verb tenses are consistent when describing past states versus current ones.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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