Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29
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 layout illustrates the changes made in the floor plan of a central library 20 years ago.
Overall, various locations in a library have been reshuffled, and extensions have also been done in some of the rooms. Technological advancements and recreational facilities have also been added.
Back then, the library had separate rooms for computer games and a reading room where magazines and newspapers were found. A separate place for children and their books was allocated. An enquiry desk was placed near the entrance to buy the tickets and return the books. Adult fiction and non-fiction books are placed in front of each other at the central part of the library. There was a sitting place where tables and chairs were placed.
Today, redevelopments are being done in a library. The computer room has been replaced and extended with storytelling events and children's books. There is a separate computer room and a cafe. Adult books and self-service machines, along with an information desk, have been placed in the corridor. The lecture room has taken place instead of the children's books room. A small portion of the library has been given to a room for reference books.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the library from 20 years ago and comparing them with the present layout. The student successfully identifies key transformations, such as the introduction of the café, computer room, and self-service machines, as well as the reallocation of spaces like the children's books and lecture room. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and vague descriptions in reporting spatial relationships, such as stating 'Adult fiction and non-fiction books are placed in front of each other' when the map shows them in opposite wings, and some minor confusions regarding past and present locations. Overall, the content provides a clear comparative overview, meeting the requirements of Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged into logical paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by an overall summary, a description of the past layout, and finally the current layout. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparison, such as 'Back then' and 'Today'. However, some transitions and referencing are a bit mechanical or repetitive, and paragraphing could be structured more tightly to contrast specific areas directly. Pronoun referencing and signposting are generally functional, allowing the overall message to be easily followed, which firmly places this response at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms like 'layout', 'reshuffled', 'extensions', and 'technological advancements'. There are some awkward lexical choices or slight inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'redevelopments are being done' instead of 'redevelopments have taken place' and 'The lecture room has taken place instead of' rather than 'replaced'. Spelling is accurate throughout, and vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, although it lacks the precision and flexibility characteristic of higher bands, making a Band 6.0 appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including passive structures ('have been reshuffled', 'has been replaced and extended'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as tense inconsistencies ('Adult fiction and non-fiction books are placed' in a past-tense paragraph) and slight preopositional errors ('in a library' instead of 'to the library'). Nonetheless, these errors do not impede communication, and the sentence structures remain reasonably varied, supporting a Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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