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 diagram below displays the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now. The map of central library would be changed. Overall, the entrance will be same but there is a major changes in the interior of the library.

We see that 20 years ago left upper corner room are changed into storytelling events and children's fiction books and sofa are displayed there however, left lower corner room that are reading room are changed into computer room. Right upper corner room which are children's books are changed into lecture moreover lower right corner room that are enquiry desk changed into Cafe. 20 years tables and chairs are displayed at the center of the library but they are removed now. 20 years ago adult fiction books rack are changed to all reference books while adult non-fiction books are changed to adult fiction book and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the floor plan, the description is incomplete as the text cuts off abruptly at the end. The overview is present but lacks sufficient detail to fully satisfy the task requirements. To improve, ensure you provide a complete summary that covers all changes mentioned in the diagram and verify that your response meets the length requirement. The lack of a concluding sentence or a fully developed final paragraph prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a brief introduction and a body paragraph, but the lack of a clear conclusion and the abrupt ending hinder the overall flow. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'however', 'moreover', and 'while', but they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly. The progression of ideas is somewhat repetitive, and the paragraphing is insufficient for a clear structure. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words to connect your sentences more naturally and ensure your ideas are grouped logically, perhaps by separating the changes into distinct thematic or spatial categories.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple verbs like 'changed' and 'displayed'. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or precise collocations related to describing maps or floor plans. For example, instead of repeating 'changed', you could use terms like 'transformed', 'converted', or 'replaced'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more descriptive language to explain the spatial changes and ensure your word choices are more varied and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency. For instance, 'The map... would be changed' is an incorrect use of the modal, and 'left upper corner room are changed' contains a plural/singular mismatch. Additionally, there are issues with article usage and sentence structure, such as '20 years tables and chairs are displayed'. While the meaning is generally understandable, these errors are frequent and occasionally impede the flow of reading. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage.

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

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