Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The maps illustrate the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks at present.

Overall, the central library at present has a cafe and self-serving machines which weren't present previously. The library now has a dedicated lecture and computer room.

The enquiry desk was on the right side of the entrance 20 years ago. This has now been replaced by the cafe. Infront the cafe are the self-service machines, information desk and adult fiction books.This area was previously occupied by adult non-fiction books. On the left side of the entrance there is a computer room. This space was a reading room for newspapers and magazines 20 years earlier.

The room designated for CDs, videos and computer games is currently being used for story telling events. This space also holds the children's fiction books which were previously placed in a separate room situated in the North East corner of the library. This room is now being used as a lecture room. The tables and chairs that were present in the center of the library 20 years ago have now been removed. All reference books can now be found in the area between the computer room and the story telling room.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by outlining the main layout changes and making relevant comparisons between the two time periods. You provide a clear overview at the beginning, noting major additions such as the café, self-service machines, and the lecture room. Specific spatial changes are reported accurately, such as the transformation of the reading room into a computer room, and the former reference and seating areas being altered. However, some ideas and details could have been slightly better extended to reach the highest levels, but overall, all requirements of the task are adequately addressed with a clear focus on key spatial developments.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the introductory summary through to specific spatial transformations on either side of the entrance and inside the rooms. Paragraphing is used to separate the global overview from the detailed body descriptions. Cohesive devices are generally present, but referencing is occasionally mechanical or slightly repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'This space' or 'This room' to introduce new sentences. A greater variety of transitional structures and more flexible cohesive links would help elevate the flow to a more natural standard.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

Your lexical range is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating specific vocabulary related to library layouts and map features, such as 'floor plan', 'enquiry desk', 'self-service machines', and 'story telling events'. You attempt less common vocabulary with general success, though there are occasional minor inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, such as writing 'self-serving machines' instead of 'self-service machines'. Spelling and word formation are generally controlled, ensuring that communication is never impeded, which comfortably satisfies the requirements for this performance band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and passive constructions appropriately to describe map changes, as seen in 'The room designated for CDs... is currently being used'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, such as missing spaces in compound words like 'Infront' instead of 'In front' and minor prepositional or spacing slips, but these errors are infrequent and rarely impede communication. To reach higher bands, you would need to produce a higher proportion of error-free complex sentences and exercise tighter control over punctuation and compound word boundaries.

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