Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-22

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 map illustrates the changes made to a public library over a 20-year period.

Overall, the layout presents considerable changes made in all sections of the library, but the general blueprint remained the same. The entrance remained the same, in south of the library.

In the old library, there were tables and chairs in the center of the library, which is now kept an open empty space, ensuring a smooth transition from one section to another. On the bottom-right side of the library, there used to be an Enquiry room which is replaced by a Cafe now; its shape is also changed to a complete rectangular room. Moving further in the right section, the Adult non-fiction books segment experienced significant variation, divided into 3 different parts, information desk in the middle, self-service machines close to the cafe, and adult fiction books on the further side of information desk. Children's books room is changed into Lecture room on the top-right side.

Similarly, on the bottom-left part of the library, Reading room is replaced by Computer room. Whereas, the CDs, Video games room on the top-left side underwent most changes with increase in room size, accommodating the seating space, storytelling events and Children's fiction books section. Lastly, the open space between both rooms is transformed into All reference books section from Adult fiction books part of the library.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making clear comparisons between the library twenty years ago and today. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting overall changes and the constancy of the entrance location. Key features such as the removal of central tables, the conversion of the enquiry room into a café, and the rearrangement of various book sections and rooms are accurately detailed and grounded in the visual data. The response meets the core requirements of Task 1 by selecting relevant information without unnecessary data transcription. Minor details are omitted, which is appropriate for a summary. Therefore, this performance aligns well with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The report displays a clear overall progression and logical organization. The essay is appropriately paragraphed, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by spatial groupings for the right and left sections of the library. Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'Whereas', and 'Lastly' are used to connect ideas, although some transitions could be smoother. Referencing is generally clear, though phrases like 'which is now kept an open empty space' exhibit slightly mechanical cohesion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the comparison effectively, placing the response solidly in the Band 7 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'blueprint', 'considerable changes', 'smooth transition', and 'accommodating'. However, there are occasional word choice and preposition errors, such as writing 'in south of the library' instead of 'in the south' and 'kept an open empty space' rather than 'left as an open space'. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the lexical range is adequate to convey the spatial changes clearly and precisely, matching the criteria for Band 6.5, rounded to 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

A mix of simple and complex sentence structures is employed throughout the response. The writer demonstrates control over relative clauses and passive constructions, as seen in 'which is replaced by a Cafe now' and 'the open space... is transformed into All reference books section'. However, there are some grammatical errors and missing articles, notably 'in south of the library' and awkward phrasing like 'which is now kept an open empty space'. These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band, making Band 6.5 an accurate representation.

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

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