Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-07

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 diagram illustrates floor plan of a central public library 20 years ago and now.

Overall, lecture room , computer room and cafe has been established in today's library whereas in old library enquiry desk (tickets, book returns, etc.) has been upgraded into a self service machine in todays library.

Turning to central library 20 years ago, tables and chairs was being placed right in front of entrance. On the right and left side of the chairs and tables adult fiction and adult non fictions books were placed. In todays library the entrance has amply space because tables and chairs has been removed. Adult fiction books has been moved towards left, and information desk and self service machines are added before adult fiction books aisle. All reference books are now in the right of the library in place of adult fiction books.

On the other hand, all four corners of the library also been upgraded, cafe is established in the right left corner of cafe just beside the entrance. Children's books, reading room is no

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the library floor plan, noting the key changes such as the addition of the cafe, lecture room, and computer room. However, the response is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence. While the overview identifies major trends, the description of the layout changes is somewhat disorganized and lacks precision in spatial referencing. The failure to complete the final paragraph significantly impacts the overall development of the response, as the reader is left without a conclusion or a full description of the library's current state.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response attempts to use paragraphing to separate the past and present, but the structure is undermined by the incomplete final sentence. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Turning to' and 'On the other hand', but they are sometimes applied mechanically. The logical flow is hindered by the abrupt ending, which prevents the reader from following the full progression of the comparison. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'right left corner of cafe', which is confusing and lacks proper spatial clarity.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'library', 'books', and 'tables and chairs'. Phrases like 'amply space' (should be 'ample space') and 'right left corner' demonstrate a lack of control over collocations and spatial descriptors. While the student attempts to describe specific areas, the word choice is often simplistic, and the errors in word form and collocation occasionally distract the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'tables and chairs was being placed', 'cafe is established... in the right left corner of cafe'). There are also issues with article usage and pluralization (e.g., 'illustrates floor plan', 'in todays library'). While the student attempts some complex structures, these are often marred by errors. Punctuation is inconsistent, and the incomplete sentence at the end further demonstrates a lack of control over sentence structure and finality.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.