Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-04

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 6.0)

The diagram shows the difference between two setups of central library with a difference of 20 years time span.

Starting from the entrance, which is in the middle of the area and remains there till 20 years. On the right of the entrance was enquiry desk where people could get the information of tickets, book returns, etc. This place is converted into a café after two decades. The information desk is moved to the middle of the hall, where there was adult non-fiction books portion which is in its place till date. Alongside these two, there have been affixed self-services machines as well. Just in the row, at the right of opposite side of entrance was children's book area, which is now replaced with a lecture room.

The center of the hall was where chairs and tables were setup, is now empty today. Moving on to the left side of the hall, the first portion adjacent to the children's book portion was a corner of CDs, Videos, Computer games. However, today the same corner is where story telling events setup is made. In the same is the children's fiction books. In middle of the row was adult fiction books, which is now converted into the all reference books. Lastly, the room that was reserved for reading newspaper and magazines, on the left of entrance, is now featured as computer room.

Overall, some portions are moved here and there after 20 years, like information desk, children's books, etc. While some new things are initiated, such as café, computer room, all reference book, story telling event room, etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the library floor plan and makes relevant comparisons between the two time periods. You have covered all key areas of change, such as the conversion of the enquiry desk to a café and the relocation of the information desk. The overview provides a summary of the general trends, which is essential for a high score. To improve, ensure that the comparison is more analytical; for instance, instead of listing changes sequentially, group them by theme (e.g., areas that were removed, areas that were relocated, and new additions) to provide a more cohesive summary of the transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from the entrance to the various sections of the library. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different areas of the floor plan. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'Moving on to the left side' and 'Lastly', to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the relationship between the past and present states is more fluidly connected within each sentence, rather than relying on simple 'is now' structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'converted', 'replaced', and 'reserved' appropriately. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'setups of central library' instead of 'layouts of the central library' and 'affixed self-services machines' which is slightly unnatural. The phrase 'story telling events setup is made' is also clunky. To improve, focus on more precise collocations and avoid repeating basic verbs. Using more sophisticated vocabulary to describe spatial changes would elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'remains there till 20 years' (should be 'has remained for 20 years') and 'In the same is the children's fiction books' (which lacks a clear subject-verb agreement). There are also minor punctuation and article errors throughout the text. To achieve a higher band, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and using more varied complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, with greater accuracy.

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

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