Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The central library has undergone several changes over the past 20 years, as illustrated by the floor plans of the library today and 20 years ago.

The public library has been completely renovated, the general room plans have been retained but they have been repurposed.

Adjacent to the entrance, on either side, the café and computer room have replaced the enquiry desk on the right and the reading room on the left, respectively. Previously, the entrance led directly to a seating area arranged with tables and chairs for reading, but this area has since been removed and left empty in today's plan.

Across the computer room now lies a hall devoted for storytelling events. It has been arranged to include a few sofas along with children's fiction books. This area was previously meant for CDs, videos and computer games. Opposite to the cafe now lies the lecture room which previously harbored children's books.

Between the cafe and the lecture room now lies the adult fiction books which was previously located on the corridor to the left from the entrance. The enquiry desk which was previously allocated with a significantly higher amount of room has now been condensed to a desk in the corridor on the right from the entrance. This information desk is conveniently located along with several self-service machines. On the left corridor now lies the reference books.

The contemporary layout differs significantly from its layout 20 yrs ago. CDs, videos and computer games have been removed all together. To remain relevant in todays world computer room and several changes have been introduced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully summarises the main features of the central library's layout from 20 years ago and compares them with the current floor plan. Key alterations, such as the addition of the café, computer room, and storytelling hall, are identified and reported with relevant comparisons. The overview is integrated well into the introduction and concluding remarks, covering all parts of the prompt adequately. The selection of data is generally accurate, capturing the relocation of adult and reference books, the enquiry desk, and the removal of certain media sections. While some descriptions of spatial relationships could be slightly more concise, the overall task is fully addressed, demonstrating a clear understanding of the visual information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is grouped spatially and topically, moving from the entrance areas to the specialised rooms and corridors. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sections of the library. Cohesive devices such as 'Adjacent to the entrance', 'Across the computer room', and 'Between the cafe and the lecture room' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the floor plans. However, there are minor instances where referencing could be smoother, such as the slightly repetitive use of transitional phrases like 'now lies' and 'which was previously'. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary suitable for a diagram description task, incorporating terms like 'renovated', 'repurposed', 'contemporary layout', and 'self-service machines'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of collocation, such as 'storytelling events' and 'reference books'. There are occasional slight inaccuracies in word choice or phrasing, such as 'harbored children's books' (where 'housed' would be more natural) and spelling slips like 'todays' instead of 'today's' and 'all together' instead of 'altogether'. Nonetheless, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the intended meaning precisely without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating good control over passive voice constructions suited for descriptive reports, such as 'has been completely renovated' and 'have been removed'. Complex structures are used adequately, including relative clauses ('which was previously located on the corridor'). There are a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'hall devoted for storytelling events' (instead of 'devoted to') and 'The enquiry desk which was previously allocated with a significantly higher amount of room'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, though occasional missing apostrophes occur. The majority of sentences are clear and do not impede communication.

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