Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-28
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 5.5)
The given diagram illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.
Twenty years ago, the library use to have section for CD's, videos, computer games, children's books, adult fiction and non-fiction books. There was also reading room, enquiry desk and table and chairs in the center.
Today, the area for CD's, videos and games has been replaced by storytelling area with sofas. Children's fiction books are now located below this area, while all reference books occupy the middle left section. The old reading room has been changed into computer room. On the right, the children's books section is now a lecture room. Adult fiction books, an information desk and self service machines has also been added. Finally, previous enquiry desk is now changed into cafe.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student covers the main changes between the two floor plans, identifying the transformation of specific areas such as the children's section, the reading room, and the addition of the café and self-service machines. However, the response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, standing at only 133 words. This under-length impacts the depth of coverage, resulting in a partial treatment of the task's visual data. The overview is also very brief and lacks a cohesive summary of the most prominent structural shifts.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text demonstrates a logical progression from the past layout to the present layout. However, the formatting and paragraphing are weak, with the entire body of the report clumped together into only two short paragraphs. Cohesive devices are minimal, relying mostly on simple transitional words like 'Today' and 'Finally'. There is a lack of varied cohesive links to connect spatial descriptions across the library floor plan, leading to a somewhat mechanical flow.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for describing the layout and features of the library, such as 'floor plan', 'storytelling area', and 'self-service machines'. However, the range is quite limited, and there is a lack of sophisticated or less common lexical items appropriate for Academic Task 1. Some repetitive phrasing is present, and there are noticeable vocabulary choices that could be upgraded for greater precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, such as the missing auxiliary verb and incorrect form in 'the library use to have section' (should be 'used to have a section') and subject-verb agreement errors like 'self service machines has also been added' (should be 'have also been added'). These minor errors occasionally distract the reader, though they do not impede overall communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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