Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-30

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 map illustrate the changes that took place in the Central Library over a period of 20 years from the past to present.

Overall, the library underwent significant changes including a cafe, an information desk and the self-sevice machines during the period. While the entrance remains unchanged, several new facilities such as sofa, the computer room were added and some existing features like tables and chairs were removed.

Twenty years ago, the Cental Library consisted an enquiry desk, childrens books and reading room. The enquiry desk was located in the right corner of the entrance, while childrens books were situated far away from the entrance to the right side. In addition, the reading room was located in the left corner of the entrance.

At present, the library had changed considerably. The childerens books room was replaced by a lecture room, while adult fiction books were relocated. Furthermore, information desk was constructed. However, every region of the library have been transformed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student makes a strong attempt to summarise the main features of the library floor plan comparing the past and present layouts. Key changes such as the addition of the café, computer room, and self-service machines are correctly identified, along with the removal of central tables and chairs. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and omissions in reporting specific room locations (for instance, the transition of children's books to the top-left room). The overview touches upon the main trends, but could be slightly more comprehensive in contrasting the overall structural layout. Overall, the response addresses the prompt adequately and meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement and is divided into logical paragraphs covering the introduction, overview, past layout, and present layout. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the comparison, such as 'Overall', 'While', 'In addition', and 'At present'. However, referencing is occasionally repetitive, and some transitional links feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the progression of information from past to present.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a floor plan, using terms such as 'relocated', 'transformed', 'facility', and 'enquiry desk'. There are some lexical inaccuracies and typos, such as 'self-sevice' instead of 'self-service' and 'childerens' instead of 'children's'. Furthermore, phrasing like 'every region of the library have been transformed' shows minor collocation and agreement slips. The vocabulary is minimally sufficient to convey the intended meaning, but lacks the flexibility and precision of higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses beginning with 'While' and 'Twenty years ago'. However, there are several noticeable grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'The map illustrate', 'every region... have been transformed') and missing prepositions or articles (e.g., 'consisted an enquiry desk', 'including a cafe'). Despite these errors, communication is not seriously impeded, and the sentences remain generally understandable.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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