Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-17
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 provided diagram demonstrates the development plan of central library, before and after construction.
Overall, library has been completely changed now. Prior to development, the library did not have all these amenities such as a computer room, a lecture rooms, a cafe, a sitting area and an information desk with the addition of numerous categories of books and self-service machines.
Examining the diagrams in detail, 20 years ago, library had contained a central sitting area which has been removed now. Prior to development, after entering the library on right side there was an enquiry desk for tickets and book returns, etc, now has been replaced by cafe. On left side after the enterance there were a reading room has been converted to a computer room now. Adult fiction books has been shifted from the west to the east with the addition of information desk and self-service machines in the place of adult non-fiction books.
On the west side, there has been all reference books
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The candidate attempts to cover the main changes shown in the floor plans, noting the removal of the central sitting area and the addition of facilities such as a computer room, lecture room, and café. However, the response is incomplete and trails off abruptly at the end ('On the west side, there has been all reference books'). Furthermore, the description contains factual inaccuracies regarding spatial shifts, such as claiming adult fiction was shifted from west to east and misidentifying the locations of the reading and computer rooms. The overview is also rather simplistic. Because of the incomplete ending and descriptive inaccuracies, the response fits Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response has some basic organisation with an introductory statement and an overview paragraph, followed by details. However, the overall progression is disrupted by the abrupt cut-off at the end of the text. Cohesive devices are sometimes repetitive or awkwardly handled (e.g., 'Prior to development... now...'). Paragraphing is initiated, but the final incomplete thought stands alone as an isolated fragment, which negatively impacts the logical flow and overall coherence of the report. This performance corresponds to a Band 5.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The candidate uses an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common collocations and topic-specific terms such as 'amenities', 'enquiry desk', and 'self-service machines'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'development plan' instead of 'floor plan' or 'layout', and awkward phrasing like 'library had contained a central sitting area'. Spelling and word formation are generally acceptable, but the limited control over precise terminology restricts the lexical score to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using past and present tenses to contrast the two time periods (e.g., 'which has been removed now', 'there was an enquiry desk... now has been replaced'). However, control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as missing articles ('library has been completely changed', 'on right side'), incorrect verb forms ('a lecture rooms'), and structural lapses. Because errors are frequent and sometimes cause strain for the reader, the grammar score is Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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