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 figures below compare the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Overall, the outline of the the library remains the same but, there are some changes in replacing different sections of the library with different activities.

20 years ago the library had four rooms in each corner. In the north-west side the compartment was occupied with digital devices such as CDs, videos and computer games while th other room opposite to it there were books for children. In the south-west corner the room was assigned as reading room, which provided newspapers and magazines. Opposite to it was an enquiry dest to get tickets or to return books, etc. The area between the left side rooms was used as a space providing adult fiction books, while on the right side there were adult non-fiction books. In the center of the library there were tables and chairs. The entrance is in the south.

Today, the room at the top left corner is occupied with children fiction books with two sofa for sitting, and storytelling events also occur in this area. The room opposite to it is replaced with a lecture room, however, the south-west compartment is replaced with a computer room and a cafe opposite to it. Between the left rooms there are all reference books present and between the right rooms there an area of adult fiction books, information desk and self service machines. The tables and chairs are removed from the center, and the entrance remained the same in the south.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully highlights the main features and makes relevant comparisons between the two floor plans of the central library. The response covers all the key spatial transformations, such as the replacement of the digital media room with children's fiction and storytelling events, the conversion of the reading room into a computer room, and the addition of the café, lecture room, and self-service machines. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, noting the structural outline remains the same while internal functions have changed. However, there are a few minor typographical and directional inaccuracies, such as referring to 'enquiry dest' and misidentifying some room placements. Overall, the task is well addressed, earning a solid Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized logically with a clear introduction, body paragraphs describing the past and present layouts, and an overarching summary. The student attempts to use directional markers and comparative phrases such as 'In the north-west side', 'Opposite to it', and 'Today'. However, referencing and transitions are at times mechanical or slightly repetitive (e.g., repeatedly using 'opposite to it'). Paragraphing is functional, grouping past features and present features separately, but the overall logical progression could be smoother. These issues place the response firmly in the Band 6.0 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, successfully describing architectural features, library sections, and facility changes ('compartment', 'digital devices', 'reference books', 'self service machines'). The student attempts less common vocabulary such as 'assigned as' and 'occupied with'. However, there are some noticeable lexical errors and misspellings, such as 'the the library', 'th other room', and 'enquiry dest'. Additionally, phrasing can be somewhat unnatural in places. These limitations restrict the score to a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'which provided newspapers and magazines', 'The area between the left side rooms was used as a space providing adult fiction books'). There are, however, several grammatical errors, missing articles, and awkward phrasings, such as 'the outline of the the library', 'with two sofa for sitting', and 'there an area of adult fiction books'. Punctuation is also slightly faulty with commas used incorrectly in clauses. Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded, warranting a Band 6.0.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.