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 illustrates the changes that took place in the floor plan of a public library over a period of 20 years, from the past to the present.

Overall, the library underwent significant changes including a cafe, an information desk and the self-service machines. While entrance remaines unchnaged. Several new facilities such as computer room, sofas and a lecture room were added. However, some existing features like tables and chairs were removed.

Twenty years ago, the central library consisted an enquiry desk, children's books and the reading room. An enquiry desk was located in the right corner of the entrance. While chidren's 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, some changes took place considerably. children's books room was replaced by a lecture room, while tables and chairs were removed and enquiry desk was converted to cafe. However, over a period of 20 years approximately all areas are replaced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student attempts to cover the main features of the library maps, noting the addition of a café, computer room, and lecture room, as well as the removal of the tables and chairs. However, the response contains several inaccuracies and omissions regarding the spatial layout. For instance, the student states that the enquiry desk was converted to a cafe, whereas the map shows the enquiry desk was replaced by a cafe in the bottom-right, but other changes were more complex. The overview mentions some key developments, but the reporting of specific past and present locations is occasionally vague or inaccurate. Overall, the task is addressed, but development is limited.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is organised into four paragraphs, following a logical introduction, overview, past description, and present description format. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or repetitive (e.g., 'While entrance remaines unchnaged', 'Twenty years ago...', 'At present...'). Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion within paragraphs suffers from abrupt transitions and referencing errors, such as missing subjects or awkward conjunction usage. Progression is somewhat disjointed, leading to an overall coherence score at Band 5.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally basic and adequate for the task, but lacks flexibility and precision. The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'significant changes', 'converted', and 'replaced', but this is offset by frequent word choice and spelling errors (e.g., 'remanes', 'unchnaged', 'chidren's'). Repetition of simple verbs like 'was located' and 'took place' restricts the lexical range to a Band 5.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses ('While entrance remaines unchnaged' and 'as children's books room was replaced'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('entrance remaines', 'consisted an enquiry desk'), capitalization errors ('children's' uncapitalized), and punctuation mistakes. These errors occasionally cause slight strain for the reader, aligning the grammar with a Band 5.0 descriptor.

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

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