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 drawings elaborate the blueprints of a public library before and after the two decade. Overall, there has significant changes been done in the three rooms and at the main desk of the library for different kinds of activities over the two decade.
Initially, the library consists of an entrance and many several rooms for reading for the people of all ages, followed by the main hall, in which tables and chairs has been placed in the center. The main enquiry desk for tickets, book returns and for any kind of information was at the right side of the main entrance and the room for reading newspapers and magazines was at the left side of the main entry point. Moreover, there were two portions of the books alongside the tables and chairs, one for adult non-fiction on the right side and the other is adult fiction on the left side in the middle of the hall of the library. Furthermore, there were two more rooms for children's books and for CDs, videos, and computer games at the end of the library.
After two decade, significant modifications has been done in the library. The main entry point for the public was still at the same place, with the addition of two new spots, one for the café and other one is computer room alongside the entrance. The sitting area has been removed from the center of the library and towards the computer room, a new section for all reference books has been introduced on the left. The information desk along with fiction books and self-serving machines has been relocated on the right side towards the café of the library.
Additionally, lecture room and the room for children's fiction books with sitting area has been redesigned at the end of the library.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response covers all key features of the floor plan comparison between 20 years ago and the present. You successfully identified major structural shifts, such as the removal of tables and chairs from the center, the relocation of the enquiry desk, and the introduction of new amenities like the café and computer room. An adequate overview is provided at the beginning, noting that significant changes occurred across various rooms. However, the progression of details could be slightly more synthesised to highlight spatial comparisons more sharply. Nonetheless, all parts of the visual data are addressed accurately, aligning well with Band 6.5 to 7.0 requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is organised logically into four paragraphs, moving from an introduction and overview to past features, present changes, and final additions. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After two decade', and 'Moreover' are used to structure the narrative. However, referencing is sometimes imprecise, and paragraphing could flow more smoothly. Additionally, repetitive phrasing like 'at the end of the library' weakens the overall cohesion. Cohesive links are occasionally mechanical rather than fluid, placing this response firmly in the Band 6 category.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You attempt a fair range of vocabulary related to spatial descriptions and library features, using terms such as 'blueprints', 'modifications', and 'relocated'. However, there are noticeable word-form and collocation errors, such as 'significant changes been done' instead of 'significant changes have been made', and 'after two decade' instead of 'after two decades'. There is also some awkward phrasing like 'self-serving machines' instead of 'self-service machines'. The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lexical control is inconsistent.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including introductory prepositional phrases and relative clauses. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement and passive voice construction (e.g., 'tables and chairs has been placed', 'significant modifications has been done', and 'the library consists of an entrance and many several rooms'). Punctuation is generally fine, but grammatical inaccuracies persist throughout, occasionally straining the reading experience.
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