Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-03

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 diagram compares development of the public library from past two decades. The public library undergo several significant changes as well as construction at different sites.

Overall, it is clear that tables and chairs at the central region are removed, now it is an empty area. Additionally, enquiry desk in now converted into the cafeteria and children's room is now served as lecture room.

To begin with, entrance of central library is remained same as it was twenty years ago. The area designated for CD's, Videos, computer games are now converted into storytelling area which has fiction books for children's. Also, adult fiction books area now contain all type of reference books and adult non fiction books area is now have self-service machines, information desk, and adult fiction books.

Area where individuals used to read newspapers and magazines are now converted into computer room. Similarly, enquiry desk into cafeteria and children's room into the lecture hall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the library comparing past and present layouts, which corresponds to the requirements for this band level. You provide a clear overview in the second paragraph mentioning key changes like the removal of tables and chairs and the conversion of the enquiry desk. However, some parts of the task are handled more fully than others, and certain details are slightly imprecise or repetitive, such as mentioning the conversion of the enquiry desk multiple times. To reach a higher level, you should extend your comparisons more systematically, ensuring all major spatial shifts are fully integrated into a cohesive overview without redundancy.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a coherent overall arrangement to your response, and it is divided into logical paragraphs. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is not always clear. For instance, transitional phrases like 'To begin with' feel somewhat forced for a descriptive process in Task 1, and the progression between sentences can feel disjointed. Furthermore, repetition across paragraphs, such as 'enquiry desk into cafeteria', indicates that information is not smoothly integrated. To improve cohesion, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that each paragraph builds logically upon the previous one without unnecessary reiteration.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, demonstrating an attempt to use less common items such as 'undergo', 'designated', and 'cafeteria'. However, there are noticeable lexical and word-form errors that prevent a higher score, such as 'development of the public library from past two decades' instead of 'over the past two decades', and referencing 'children's' instead of 'children's books'. Spelling and word choice issues, while they do not completely impede communication, appear frequently enough to restrict your lexical range to this band. To progress, aim for more precise word choice, accurate collocations, and better control over word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The public library undergo several significant changes...' and 'The area designated for CD's, Videos, computer games are now converted...'. However, there are a number of grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('library undergo', 'games are now converted'), missing articles ('entrance of central library', 'adult non fiction books area is now have'), and incorrect prepositions. These errors require some effort to decode, which is characteristic of this band. To improve your grammar score, focus heavily on subject-verb agreement, accurate verb tenses for describing change, and proper article usage.

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

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