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 diagram represents the floor plan of a public library from 20 years ago to present day.
Overall, central library underwent significant transformation, several new facilities were introduced including children fictions r, computer room, lecture room and cafe. Moreover, adult fiction books was relocated.
before 20 years ago, Entertainment room and children's books was locacted in the northern corner of library ,including CDs, video and computer games. Fiction books was divided into two part , both was located in opposite corner of library. Furthermore, reading room and enquiry desk situated near bottom of library. In addition, tables and chairs was stood in centre which removed after 20 years.
Following the transformation, entertainment room transformed into children's ficition books ,along with addition of storytelling area and two sofa . Whereas children's books was converted into new lecture room and adult fiction was replaced by reference books and relocated to west-corner of library. Moreover, new cafetaria and self-service machine was added by removing enquiry desk. However, new information desk was built between middle of adult fiction and service machine.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student attempts to address the task by comparing the two floor plans of the central library, covering several key changes such as the addition of the lecture room, computer room, and café, and the relocation of adult fiction. However, there are notable inaccuracies and omissions in reporting the spatial details. For example, the entertainment room from 20 years ago was actually the 'CDs, videos, computer games' room rather than an entertainment room, and the seating in the central corridor was removed rather than having tables and chairs 'stood in centre which removed'. The overview is somewhat basic and contains grammatical interference. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of precision in describing the layout changes keeps this response at a Band 5.5 level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into paragraphs with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing past and present layouts. However, the logical flow is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions, referencing issues, and mechanical cohesive devices like 'before 20 years ago' and 'Following the transformation'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs lacks seamless progression. For instance, jumping between various rooms without a clear spatial anchor makes the description difficult to follow at times. Overall, the organizational structure is evident, but cohesion is faulty and mechanical, aligning with a Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a limited range of vocabulary suitable for describing a floor plan, using basic terms like 'transformation', 'relocated', and 'added'. There are numerous lexical and collocation errors, such as 'children fictions r', 'cafetaria', and awkward phrasing like 'adult fiction books was relocated'. Word formation and spelling errors ('ficition', 'locacted') are noticeable and occasionally cause strain for the reader. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the general idea of changes over time, the frequent errors and lack of precision prevent it from reaching Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent, persistent errors in subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'central library underwent', 'children's books was locacted', 'both was located', and 'tables and chairs was stood'. Additionally, punctuation is often neglected or misused, particularly around commas and capitalization. These errors occur throughout the text and frequently impede communication, reflecting the characteristics of a Band 5.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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