Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23
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 map diagram illustrates the floor plan of public library from past two decades to present.
To begin with, the central library had enquiry desk on the right hand side and reading room on the left hand side. However, both was replaced by cafe and comuter room. Secondly, there were tabels and chairs on the middle of the floor, and it was removed from the floor till now.
Furthermore, there were adult books section on left hand side on the middel of the floor, and replaced with all refrence books, also adult books shifted on the oppsite side of the floor along with information desk and self service machines. Moreover, before 20 years in the top right corner there was a children's book room and at present it was replaced to lecture room, respectively. Lastly, another side of the corner in on the floor there was room with cds, and computer games, and it was replaced by storytelling events and children's fiction books.
Overall it is apperent that, the library has lot of changes till now, each and everything changed completly.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response attempts to cover the main changes between the two floor plans, noting the replacement of the enquiry desk and reading room with a café and computer room, as well as shifts in book sections. However, the report suffers from numerous inaccuracies regarding spatial orientation and feature placement. For instance, the student states that the reading room was on the left and the enquiry desk on the right, whereas the original diagram shows the enquiry desk in the bottom-right and the reading room in the bottom-left. Furthermore, some transformations are misdescribed, such as the top-right children's book room being replaced by a lecture room when it was actually repositioned or altered differently. While an overview is attempted at the end, the task is only partially addressed due to these spatial misinterpretations and lack of a cohesive summary of overall trends.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text is organized into paragraphs with a basic introduction, body paragraphs detailing specific changes, and a concluding overview. However, cohesion is often faulty or mechanical. The student relies on repetitive transitional phrases such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Moreover', which feels forced. Referencing is frequently unclear, as seen in sentences like 'and it was replaced by storytelling events and children's fiction books' where the subject pronoun lacks a precise, clear antecedent. Additionally, the progression of ideas jumps somewhat randomly around the floor plan rather than following a logical spatial sequence (such as moving systematically from left to right or top to bottom). Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion requires better signposting.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, heavily relying on words directly lifted from the prompt such as 'library', 'floor plan', 'children's books', and 'computer room'. There are several noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'map diagram' instead of 'floor plan', 'tabels' (spelling error), 'refrence' (spelling error), and 'oppsite side'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items like 'replaced' and 'shifted', but overall the lexical range is narrow and minimally adequate for the task. Spelling mistakes and awkward phrasing occasionally hinder smooth reading, placing this criterion solidly in the Band 5 range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, using conjunctions like 'however', 'although', and relative clauses. However, control over grammar and punctuation is weak, with frequent errors that occasionally impede communication. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('both was replaced'), missing plural markers ('tabels', 'self service machines'), and awkward prepositions ('in on the floor', 'till now'). Punctuation is also problematic, particularly with comma splices and run-on structures in the final paragraph ('Overall it is apperent that, the library has lot of changes till now, each and everything changed completly'). Complex structures are frequently faulty, limiting the score to a Band 5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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