Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-12
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 two maps demonstrate the floor planning of a public library 20 years ago and now if look now.
Overall, the central public library underwent a huge transformation. The most noticeable Change was the removal of tables and chairs from the centre. Reading room has been replaced with computer room and enquiry room with a cafe.
20 years ago, the library had tables and chairs in the middle but now it has been removed. Near the entrance, on the left hand side there was a reading book, but now it has became computer room. On the right handside room used to be an enquiry desk but now it has turned into a cafe. Adult fiction books section has been removed and changed into all reference books. Instead adult fiction book moved beside the lecture room. In between information desk is included between adult fiction book and Self-service machines section.
CDs, videos and computer game room has altered into story telling room. Furthermore two sofas were added and children's fiction books as well. Children's books section were removed and turned into the lecture room at the present day.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons between the two floor plans. The overview paragraph clearly states that the library underwent a huge transformation, noting the removal of tables and chairs as well as specific room conversions. Key changes, such as the transformation of the reading room into a computer room and the enquiry room into a cafe, are reported accurately. Although there are some minor mechanical issues with phrasing in the introduction, the overall information is presented logically and all key spatial changes are accounted for, aligning well with the Band 6.0 descriptors where all parts are addressed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure separating the introduction, overview, and specific area-by-area details. Paragraphing is utilised adequately to group related information about the library's layout. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in sentences like 'Instead adult fiction book moved beside the lecture room' and abrupt transitions between paragraphs. Cohesive devices are present but lack flexibility, resulting in a somewhat choppy progression. This matches the characteristics of Band 6, where the response is coherent overall despite faulty or repetitive cohesive links.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the student to successfully describe rooms, furniture, and spatial arrangements. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary related to maps and buildings, such as 'transformation', 'reference books', and 'story telling room'. However, there are notable word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'floor planning' instead of 'floor plans', 'reading book' instead of 'reading room', and 'adult fiction book moved' instead of 'moved adult fiction'. Despite these inaccuracies, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without severely impeding communication, placing the response firmly at Band 5.5 to 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures frequently contain errors. There are several grammatical inaccuracies throughout the text, including tense and voice issues such as 'it has been removed' referring to plural tables and chairs, 'now it has became' instead of 'has become', and missing prepositions like 'on the right handside room'. Punctuation is generally basic, and opening clauses are sometimes malformed, as seen in the first sentence: 'now if look now'. While these errors are noticeable and require the reader to occasionally reinterpret the sentence, they do not completely impede communication, which is characteristic of Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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