Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given diagram illustrates the changes to the floor plan of a public library over the past two decades.
Overall, for the past two decades the layout of libraray floor has been completly changed. The enrance to the library is still at their original position. However, the tables and chairs have placed at the entance were removed completly.
The reading room at the left side on the entrance where newspaper and magazines were placed there were removed and converted to a computer room. Afterwards, the open space were used for adult fiction books changed to all refrences books area. Additionaly,the last room ate left corner filled with cds, videos and computer games are replaced with storytelling events, children`s fiction books and also placed two sofas one at the upper side of left corner and one at the right side of the room.
The changes that occured on the right side of the library entrance include the allocation of a room for enquiry desk such as tickets and books returns are changed to cafe. Futhermore, open spcae beyond the room used for adult non-fiction books changed to adult fiction books and as well as used as information desk such as self-service machine. Additionaly, in the last the children`s books room has been converted have to lecture room.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The candidate attempts to cover the main changes between the two floor plans of the Central Library, noting modifications such as the removal of tables and chairs, and the conversion of rooms like the reading room into a computer room and the children's books room into a lecture room. However, there are notable inaccuracies and omissions in spatial descriptions and specific details. For instance, the enquiry desk room was not changed into a café (the café is in the bottom-right, whereas the enquiry desk was formerly on the right and replaced by self-service machines/adult fiction). Furthermore, the overview is rather simplistic ('layout of libraray floor has been completly changed'). The response addresses the task but lacks precision in reporting features, leading to a Band 5.5 score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is divided into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs covering the left and right sides of the library. However, the organization within paragraphs feels somewhat disjointed due to awkward transitions and referencing issues ('Afterwards, the open space were used...', 'Additionaly, in the last the children`s books room...'). Cohesive devices are used mechanically and often inappropriately. Paragraphing is present, but overall progression is hindered by confusing spatial tracking and run-on sentences. This corresponds to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is somewhat limited and repetitive ('changed', 'replaced', 'removed'). There are multiple spelling errors ('libraray', 'completly', 'enrance', 'refrences', 'Additionaly', 'Futhermore', 'spcae') and word-form issues ('open space were used'). Although the candidate attempts some less common terms related to library layouts, the high frequency of lexical and spelling mistakes restricts the score to a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the tables and chairs have placed at the entance were removed completly', 'the reading room... were removed'), missing prepositions, and incorrect verb voices ('are replaced', 'are changed'). Punctuation is also faulty in places (e.g., missing commas, backticks instead of apostrophes). These errors cause some difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar at a Band 5.0 level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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