Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-02

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 7.0)

Overall, the library has undergone significant changes, with several areas being replaced by facilities aimed at children and technology users. In addition, the enquiry desk has been replaced by an information desk and self-service machines, while a café and computer room have been added.

Twenty years ago, the library had a relatively traditional layout. The entrance was located at the bottom, with an enquiry desk immediately to the right. The remaining areas consisted mainly of reading and book sections. Adult fiction books occupied the left-hand side, while adult non-fiction books were on the right. There was also a reading room in the bottom-left corner, children's books in the top-right, and an area for CDs, videos and computer games in the top-left. Tables and chairs were positioned in the centre.

Today, the children's fiction section occupies the top-left area, where storytelling events and two sofas have also been introduced. The former reading room has been converted into a computer room, while the area containing adult non-fiction books is now a café. The adult fiction section remains on the right, although it has been moved closer to the entrance. Finally, all reference books have been grouped together in the lower-left section, and an information desk with self-service machines has replaced the former enquiry desk.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt and attempts to provide an overview and report the main features of the library changes, fulfilling the baseline requirements of the task. However, there are notable inaccuracies in reporting the spatial data when compared to the visual source. For instance, the text states that 'the adult fiction section remains on the right, although it has been moved closer to the entrance' and that 'adult non-fiction books are on the right' twenty years ago, whereas the visual diagram shows that adult fiction was on the left and adult non-fiction on the right twenty years ago, and adult fiction moved to the middle-right area while reference books took over the middle-left. These misreadings of the spatial layout indicate that while the response attempts a full overview, some details are inaccurately conveyed, keeping the task achievement score at this level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information is divided effectively into paragraphs, beginning with a clear overall summary in the introduction, followed by a description of the library twenty years ago, and concluding with its current layout. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the comparison, such as 'Twenty years ago', 'The remaining areas', 'Today', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, and referencing between ideas is well managed, ensuring the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, suitable for an academic task of this nature. Less common items and appropriate functional phrases are integrated successfully, such as 'undergone significant changes', 'traditional layout', 'converted into', and 'grouped together'. Word choices are generally natural, and although there are minor descriptive slips regarding the spatial locations, the lexical items used to describe the transformations and architectural features are accurate and allow the message to be communicated clearly without impediment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of control and flexibility. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing good control over tense usage, passive constructions, and relative clauses, as seen in structures like 'where storytelling events and two sofas have also been introduced' and 'while the area containing adult non-fiction books is now a café'. Punctuation is handled accurately throughout, and prepositional phrases are integrated correctly into complex clauses, reflecting a strong command of grammatical conventions and syntax.

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