Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-20

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 line graph displays the information about the florr plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks right now.

Overall, it can be seen that entrance of both maps remain the same and some new features are build in today map.

Central library 20 years ago, the tables & chairs are situated in the center of map and adult non-fiction books are located on southside side and the adult fiction books are placed in front of the adult non-fiction books. The CDs, videos, computer games are established on the northwest side and the children's books are sited on the northeast side. Reading books (newspapers & magazines) are builded on the southwest side and the enquiry desk (tickets, book returns, ets,) are placed on the southeast side.

Central library today, the enquiry desk are changed into the cafe and reading booke are replaced into the computer room. Moreover, in the northwest side some new things are developed such as sofe, storytelling events, and childrean's fiction books.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by comparing the two maps of the central library, but misidentifies the prompt type at the beginning by calling it a 'line graph'. While the response covers several key changes and features across the two layouts—such as the transformation of the enquiry desk into a café and the reading room into a computer room—the reporting is somewhat disjointed and lacks a fully developed overview. Some details are imprecise or awkwardly described. To reach a higher band, the student needs to ensure accurate task identification and present a more structured overview of the major spatial transformations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into basic paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by descriptions of the past layout and current layout. However, the progression between sentences within paragraphs feels mechanical and listing-like rather than smoothly connected. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes repetitive. Paragraphing is attempted, but the transition from the past layout to the present layout lacks a clear transitional marker to guide the reader effortlessly through the comparisons. Referencing and logical sequencing need more precision to achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary to describe locations and basic library features (e.g., 'enquiry desk', 'computer room', 'storytelling events'). However, there are numerous spelling errors throughout the text, such as 'florr', 'build', 'southside side', 'sofe', and 'childrean's'. Word formation and collocation are occasionally inaccurate, for example writing 'reading books' instead of 'reading room' and 'builded' instead of 'built'. The lexical range is limited and frequently strained by these foundational errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical accuracy is quite low due to frequent errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues like 'entrance of both maps remain' and 'the enquiry desk are changed', as well as awkward passive constructions like 'are build in today map'. Tense consistency is also problematic when shifting between the past and present descriptions. While meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of basic grammatical errors places this response firmly at band 5.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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