Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-03
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 given visuals despict floor plan of public library twenty years ago and also shows current location of library.
Overall the library consist of seven sections opening with theater and entertainment area. Followingly introduction of cafe in today library location.
Library that's 20 year old have entertainment room of videos and computer games at the upper left corner. While children books cover opposite right corner. Adult non fiction books area is next to children books. Hence adult fiction books mark second right area in map. While sitting consisting of tables and chairs are located in center of Reading room and enquiry desk.
Moreover the map of central library in todays time locate lecture room in Upper-right corner. While adult fiction books, information desk and self service machines are next to it. Computer room is located in the lower left corner of the map hence cafe is installed in right side of the entrance
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a basic overview of the changes, but it lacks a clear, analytical summary of the main trends. While you identify several features, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a cohesive comparison between the two time periods. The overview is brief and does not effectively highlight the most significant transformations, such as the shift from a dedicated entertainment room to a lecture room or the addition of the cafe. To improve, focus on grouping information logically—perhaps by comparing the layout of specific zones—rather than listing items in a way that feels like a simple inventory. Ensure that the 'main features' are clearly synthesized rather than just listed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often disjointed. You use some cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'While', but their usage is occasionally awkward or repetitive. The progression of ideas is sometimes difficult to follow because the spatial references (e.g., 'upper left corner', 'second right area') are not always clearly linked to the overall structure of the library. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would help the reader navigate the description more effectively. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, making it hard to track which part of the library is being discussed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely on simple descriptors like 'area', 'room', and 'corner'. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'despict' (misspelled 'depict'), 'todays time', and 'install in right side'. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise terminology related to floor plans and spatial descriptions, such as 'situated', 'adjacent to', 'transformed into', or 'replaced by'. Expanding your range of vocabulary will allow you to describe the changes with more sophistication and clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('floor plan of public library'), incorrect verb forms ('library consist', 'map... locate'), and awkward phrasing ('Library that's 20 year old have'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Practicing the construction of complex sentences using relative clauses or passive voice would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range while reducing the reliance on simple, error-prone sentence structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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