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 two given diagrams are floor plan of a public libary one of which is 20 years older and one is showing the present structure of a library.

Overall, library has transformed a lot in 20 years making several big changes and introducing new things to the public.

Twenty years ago, as you enter the library, there were tables and chairs, while in new plan there are no table and chairs. Right after the enterance, you can see an enquiry desk for returning books and buying tickets etc. In the newer plan, it has completely transformed into a cafe and on the left right after the enterance, there was a reading room but now there is a computer room. In older plan, there was an adult fiction book section on the left and non adult fiction on the right. In the latest plan, there are all reference books on the left and but on the right it has three sections. one is adult fiction books, second is information desk and third is self service machines. In the end in older plan, there were childeren's books on the right and CDs, videos, and computer games on the left. While in the new plan, it has lecture room on the right and event hall and childer fiction books on the left along with some sitting area.

In the end, the library has been transformed compeletly into a new library with the variety of things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by attempting to outline the main changes shown in the two floor plans of the Central Library. However, the coverage is somewhat uneven and lacks a fully developed overview. While you mention that the library has transformed significantly, your overview fails to clearly highlight the most striking shifts, such as the complete reallocation of rooms for specific purposes like the lecture room and computer room. Furthermore, some of your spatial descriptions are slightly inaccurate or confusing when compared to the visual data, particularly regarding the positioning of the entrance features and specific sections. To move higher, ensure you present a clear, distinct overview of the main trends at the beginning or end, and systematically report all key spatial relationships and structural modifications without confusing the layout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text displays a basic level of organisation with an introduction and an overview paragraph, but the overall progression of information lacks smoothness. The flow is hindered by mechanical transitions and repetitive structural patterns, such as starting multiple sentences with 'in the older plan' or 'in the new plan'. Paragraphing is also somewhat underdeveloped, as the body of the response is compressed into one long block of text rather than being broken down logically by location or functional change. Additionally, referencing devices are occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to track spatial shifts precisely. Improving the logical sequencing of details and using a wider, more natural variety of cohesive devices would significantly enhance the readability of your writing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to convey basic information about the library layout, but the range is limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on simple terms like 'plan', 'changes', and 'transform', and there are noticeable lexical and spelling errors that affect precision, such as 'libary', 'enterance', 'childeren', and 'compeletly'. While you make some attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as 'transformed', these are undermined by recurring inaccuracies in word form and spelling. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate a wider variety of precise spatial and descriptive vocabulary, ensure correct spelling of everyday words, and use precise collocations when describing architectural features and facility upgrades.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response relies primarily on a limited range of simple and moderately complex sentence structures. There is a frequent lack of variety in how clauses are connected, often leading to run-on sentences or awkward phrasing, such as 'while in new plan there are no table and chairs'. Furthermore, numerous grammatical errors are present throughout the text, including missing articles ('the library', 'a cafe'), pluralisation errors ('table and chairs' instead of 'tables and chairs', 'childer fiction books'), and prepositional inaccuracies. These errors occur frequently and can occasionally cause difficulty or hesitation for the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence boundaries, correct article usage, and accurate subject-verb agreement across your descriptive writing.

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