Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the floor plan of a public library depicting the development from 20 years ago.

Overall, the rectangular plan of the central library, its entrance and circulation today remained as same as it had 20 years ago. However, some functional changes are evident here. Presently, some updated programs are included in the plan such as cafe, lecture room, etc., as well as some programs are updated or excluded such as reading room and children's games corner. Additionally, there were non fiction books for adults between the enquiry desk and children's books corner.

20 years ago, the central library had a rectangular floor plan with an entrance from its south-middle side. There were four rectangular functions on its four corner. A circulation area flows in the middle space from east to west, and north to south. There were two circular tables inside the middle of the plan with some chairs around these. The north-west corner was for indoor games for children that offered CDs, videos, and computer games while the north-east corner was for children's books. In addition, the south-west corner was for reading room having newspapers and magazines, while the south-east corner was for enquiry desk which offered tickets, book returns, etc.

Presently, indoor games section altered into a larger space providing a comfortable storytelling corner and fiction books for children. North-east corner is now used for lecture room instead of having children's books. On the other hand, reading room converted into a computer room, and enquiry desk has altered into a rectangular shaped cafe. Self-service machines of the cafe, information desk and adult fiction books are now in the open space between the lecture room and the cafe.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by attempting to describe the floor plan of the central library 20 years ago and its current layout. However, some parts are more fully developed than others, leading to an uneven overview and description. While the general shape of the building is mentioned, the overview contains a few vague or slightly inaccurate generalisations, such as stating that 'some programs are updated or excluded such as reading room and children's games corner', which could be expressed with more precise vocabulary regarding spatial reallocation. In the body paragraphs, some features are adequately contrasted, such as the transformation of the north-west corner into a storytelling and fiction area, but certain comparisons lack full clarity and precision. To reach a higher band level, the response would need to present a clearer, more fully developed overview of the main trends and changes without minor omissions or vague phrasing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the information logically, dividing the text into an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the past and present layouts. Paragraphing is utilised to separate distinct time periods effectively. However, cohesion at times feels a bit mechanical or faulty, with transitional phrases like 'Additionally, there were non fiction books' or 'Presently, indoor games section altered' lacking seamless integration. Referencing and logical progression within sentences occasionally cause slight disruptions in the flow. To move to the next level, the writer needs to employ cohesive devices more flexibly and ensure that referencing and transitions between ideas are smoother and more natural throughout the entire text.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common library-related terminology such as 'circulation area', 'self-service machines', and 'storytelling corner'. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as writing 'functions on its four corner' instead of 'rooms' or 'spaces', and 'indoor games section altered into' rather than 'converted' or 'transformed'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but occasional issues with word choice and collocation slightly impede natural expression. To achieve a higher band, the writer should aim to use a wider and more precise vocabulary range with greater control over word formation and collocations, avoiding awkward lexical combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting structures such as 'While the general shape... however, some functional changes...' and relative clauses. There are, nevertheless, several errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly regarding articles and prepositions, such as missing an article in 'remained as same as it had' or using 'on its four corner' instead of 'in its four corners'. Verbs and tenses are generally handled with reasonable comprehension, though passive voice constructions could be managed with greater accuracy, as seen in 'indoor games section altered into'. These grammatical errors rarely impede overall communication. To reach the next level, the writer must produce a higher frequency of error-free complex sentences and demonstrate tighter control over articles, prepositions, and grammatical agreements.

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

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