Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-05

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 outline of a central library is depicted in given diagrams and a comparison is made in its evolution over course of twenty years.

Although, the design of central library remained the same since it was first constructed, however, its rooms have been re-designated in terms of its functions. As we step in from the entrance into the hallway, the space that was kept empty in the past has been filled with furniture and a set of table and chairs is arranged at its center. The room on the bottom left from the entrance is re-designated from a computer room to a reading room with several newspapers and magazines made available for the public. The room on the bottom right used to be a cafe which is now enquiry room where you can get tickets as well. As we continue, the rooms in middle have now adult and non-adult books.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the floor plan changes, such as the conversion of the cafe and the computer room. However, the report is incomplete. It fails to mention the relocation of the children's books or the addition of the self-service machines, which are significant features of the current library. Furthermore, the description of the central area is vague, and the summary lacks a clear overview or concluding synthesis of the major trends. To reach a higher band, you must ensure all key information is reported and provide a clear, concise summary of the overall transformation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is presented as a single block of text, which lacks appropriate paragraphing to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. While there is a basic logical flow from the entrance to the inner rooms, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'As we step in', 'As we continue'). The lack of clear paragraph breaks makes the text feel dense and less professional. Improving the structure by using distinct paragraphs for different areas or themes would significantly enhance the readability and coherence of your report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the changes (e.g., 're-designated', 'evolution', 'functions'). However, the range is somewhat limited and relies on basic phrasing. There are minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'non-adult books' (a more natural term would be 'adult fiction' or 'adult section'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to spatial descriptions and changes, such as 'transformed', 'replaced by', or 'relocated'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but lacks the flexibility required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that affect the flow. For instance, the opening sentence has a redundant 'Although... however' construction, which is grammatically incorrect. There are also issues with articles and prepositions, such as 'in given diagrams' (should be 'in the given diagrams') and 'at its center' (should be 'in its center'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the message, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focus on mastering basic sentence structure and article usage.

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

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