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 diagram illustrates information about the floor plan of public library twenty years ago and nowadays new constructed area.
Overall, in the past tables and chairs were in the middle of the plan and there was four different sectors in every corner of the library. It is also noticeable that in the new plan, some major changes which is included in the library such as a cafe, lecture room and storytelling events.
In the past, in the middle of the library there were two round shaped tables encircled with chairs, whereas the left side of the table there was adult fiction books were available and the right hand side was occupied by adult non-fictional books. Notably, there was only one entrance beside the entrance left side corner there was reading room of magazines and newspapers additionally enqiry desk was the right side corner. Eastern section corners was occupied with CDs, videos and computer games and children books self.
The new plan has several changes with some major redevelopments. The table and chairs has been replaced from the middle. Reading room is removed by computer room, while enquiry desk give place to a new cafe and childrens books place removed for lecture room. Furthermore, south-east corner of the library has some new sections with storytelling events, childrens fiction book and two sofa set and all reference books. Moreover, adult fiction books remained in the same place however addes a new information desk with self service machines. The main entrance of the library also remain unchanged.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task and provides an overview of the main changes, satisfying the basic requirements. For instance, the student notes that tables and chairs were removed from the middle and mentions new additions like a café and a lecture room. However, some aspects of the task are handled unevenly. Certain details are under-developed or inaccurately reported, such as claiming that the reading room was replaced by a computer room when the plan shows them in different locations, or stating that the enquiry desk gave place to a new cafe while the cafe is actually in the bottom-right corner. The overview covers the broad shifts adequately, but the lack of precise spatial referencing for several features keeps the response at this level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The text has a coherent overall arrangement divided into logical paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the past and present layouts. Cohesive devices are used to signal direction and contrast, such as 'whereas', 'notably', and 'furthermore'. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty, as seen in awkward transitional phrases like 'whereas the left side of the table there was adult fiction books were available'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow the precise spatial relationships between different rooms and furniture. Paragraphing is present and helps structure the comparison, but smoother progression within paragraphs is needed to reach a higher level.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for describing a floor plan, featuring terms like 'floor plan', 'entrance', 'fiction books', and 'redevelopments'. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'encircled' and 'redevelopments', but these attempts are sometimes accompanied by inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word form, such as 'enqiry', 'childrens books self', and 'addes'. Spelling errors and incorrect word forms do not completely impede communication, but they restrict the range and precision of the response. To move up, the writer needs to demonstrate a more precise and accurate control of lexical items and spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures like 'while the left side of the table there was adult fiction books were available'. There are some errors in grammar, punctuation, and prepositions, including missing articles, subject-verb agreement issues ('some major changes which is included'), and tangled clause structures ('reading room is removed by computer room'). Fortunately, these frequent errors rarely impede overall communication, and meaning is generally clear despite the structural flaws. A greater variety of error-free complex sentences and stricter control over basic grammatical patterns are required for further progress.
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