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 two diagrams illustrates the comparison between the structure of the main floor of a public library twenty years ago and its redesigned map-print today.
Overall, the entire floor plan has been significantly modified: the four major sections in the four corners of library has been changed for different purposes. From the cente of the library, the tables and chairs are removed.
Turning to 20 years ago, enquiry desk, reserved for buying tickets and returning books, was just on the right side of the entrance. The librarians used to read newspapers and magazines in the reading room on the right side of the entrance. Children's books and a room for CDs, videos, computer games were on the right-top corner and left-top corner respectively. They were followed by adult non-fiction and adult fiction with tables and chairs in the mid of the library.
Regarding the present map-print, the room for young's books was replaced by lecture room, with adult fiction books, information desk, and self-service machines just below it. Subsequently, Story telling events were held in a room in the left-top corner room. Beneath it was a section preserved for all reference books. Additionally, just besides the entrance were the two rooms: cafe on one side, while computer room on the other side.
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 the main features of both maps and makes general comparisons, meeting the basic requirements of Task 1. However, there are some inaccuracies in spatial reporting. For instance, the student states that the enquiry desk was 'just on the right side of the entrance' 20 years ago, whereas the visual data shows it on the bottom-right. Additionally, some layout descriptions are reversed or confused, such as placing the café and computer room 'besides the entrance' when they are actually located in the bottom corners. Despite these errors, an overall progression and comparison between the two periods are attempted, aligning with a Band 5.5 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is divided into an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the past and present layouts, which provides a logical framework. Cohesive devices such as 'Turning to 20 years ago' and 'Regarding the present map-print' help guide the reader through the transitions. However, paragraphing could be better balanced, and referencing is occasionally unclear or confusing due to geographical misinterpretations in the text. Overall cohesion is functional but sometimes mechanical, placing it securely at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts some less common vocabulary related to map descriptions, such as 'redesigned map-print', 'significantly modified', and 'preserved for all reference books'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'map-print', 'young's books', and 'just besides'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical inaccuracies restrict precision and cause some minor confusion for the reader, which is characteristic of Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases ('Regarding the present map-print, the room...'). There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The two diagrams illustrates', 'four corners... has been changed') and missing articles ('enquiry desk', 'lecture room'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the score from reaching Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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