Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-04
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 figure given illustrates the map of a public library 20 years ago and its recent picture now.
Overall, there are several changes that are made in library. In other words, it has been modernize. For example: many technical innovations have been introduced like self-service machines. Moreover, many luxurious factors have also been added like cafe is constructed replacing enqiry desk.
However, entrance has not been modified but there were tables and chairs opposite to entrance that have been removed and sofa sitting has been given in the room at top left. Reading room situated at left side of entrance is currently a computer room. Adult fiction books are placed beside information desk at the site where only adult non-fiction books were present. In addition, lecture room and storytelling stage have been added in it.
In conclusion, this public library has been changed a lot. And now has bacame more likely a workplace enabling visitors to experience diversity of things.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by identifying key changes between the two floor plans, such as the removal of tables and chairs from the centre and the addition of a café and computer room. However, some areas are under-developed or lack precision. For instance, the mention that 'cafe is constructed replacing enqiry desk' is inaccurate because the enquiry desk was located in the bottom-right area where the café is now, but the upper area also underwent significant re-organisation that could have been detailed further. A clear overview is attempted at the beginning, noting general modernisation and new technological installations like self-service machines, which satisfies the requirement to highlight main trends.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a discernible introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion. However, the logical progression is occasionally disrupted by mechanical transitions such as 'For example:' and 'However,' placed at the start of sentences rather than integrating smoothly into the flow. Paragraphing is attempted, though the division could be better managed to group related spatial changes together. Reference words are sometimes ambiguous, making it occasionally difficult to track which rooms or areas are being discussed, such as when referring back to general changes without clear antecedents.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying basic spatial relationships and library features. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items, such as 'modernize', 'innovations', and 'luxurious factors', though these attempts occasionally suffer from awkward word choice or minor errors like 'enqiry' (spelling). Collocations are sometimes unnatural, as seen in 'luxurious factors' or 'sofa sitting', but the meaning remains generally clear and does not impede communication. A slightly wider and more precise range of architectural and spatial terms would lift the response to the next level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure. However, there are notable errors in grammar and punctuation that persist throughout the text, including missing articles ('like cafe is constructed', 'replacing enqiry desk'), incorrect passive or active verb forms ('there are several changes that are made', 'has bacame'), and prepositions inside grammatical patterns ('given in the room at top left'). Punctuation is also erratic, with colon usage interrupting sentence flow inappropriately. These errors require some effort from the reader to interpret, keeping the grammatical score at this level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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