Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-14
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 5.0)
The represented floor plan compares how central library looked like 20 years ago and how it is looks like today after the renovation.
Overall, it is evident that the central library has gone through major update to provide new services and facilities to the public.
To begin with, tables and chairs that was placed in the centre of library has been completely removed. The section which had CDs, videos, and computer games
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is severely under-length, containing only 72 words against the required 150-word minimum. This falls well short of the task requirements and prevents the student from fully reporting the main features or making meaningful comparisons between the two floor plans. The introduction attempts to set out the overview, and the start of the body details the removal of the tables and chairs ('tables and chairs that was placed in the centre of library has been completely removed'), but the text cuts off mid-sentence ('The section which had CDs, videos, and computer games'). Because the response is incomplete, it can only be awarded a band score corresponding to a minimal attempt at the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
Although the text is extremely brief, the student demonstrates an awareness of overall structure by beginning with an introductory sentence and transitioning into body details using cohesive phrases such as 'To begin with'. However, because the text cuts off abruptly after only 72 words, it is impossible to evaluate paragraphing fully or progression across a complete response. Cohesive devices are minimally present, but the lack of an overall progression limits the score to the lower bands.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student attempts some task-specific vocabulary such as 'floor plan', 'renovation', and 'facilities'. However, the range is extremely limited due to the short length of the text. There is an instance of awkward word choice and incomplete phrasing near the end of the extract. Because the vocabulary is basic and restricted to very common terms, it meets the criteria for a basic and minimally adequate range before the text cuts off.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text contains a few grammatical errors within its short span. For example, there is a subject-verb agreement error with 'tables and chairs that was placed' (should be 'were placed') and an awkward phrasing in 'how central library looked like' (should be 'what the central library looked like'). There is also a tense error in 'how it is looks like today'. The range of structures is limited to simple and attempted complex sentences, with frequent errors relative to the output.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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