Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-06

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 layout of public library two decades ago and how it looks present.

Overall, central library went under significant redevelopment. The tables & chairs were demolished and enquiry desk was replaced with cafe.Moreover,entrance remained constant.

Central library 20 years ago, tables and chairs was located in the center and either sides of it was adult fiction books and adul non-fiction books. Entrance was located in the bottom middle of the central library and reading room was situated left side of it, whereas enquiry desk was loctated to the right. children's books was located in the top right corner and cds,videos and computer games room was in the top left corner.

Central library today, Tables and chairs were removed form its orginal place to create a free space. Computer was demolished to make a way for computer room, enquiry desk has replaced with cafe. adult non-fiction books place size was decreased to make way for self-service machines and information desk, aultt fiction is replaced by all refre

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main features of the library maps and includes an overview, but the development of ideas is limited. While you identify key changes such as the removal of tables and chairs and the addition of the cafe, some details are inaccurate or incomplete, such as stating that 'computer was demolished' when referring to the room changes. The comparison is only partially carried through, and the response trails off abruptly at the end ('aultt fiction is replaced by all refre'), which leaves parts of the plan unreported. To reach a higher level, you need to ensure all major spatial changes are accurately reported and fully extended without cutting off.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text has a coherent overall arrangement and attempts a logical structure by separating the introduction, an overview, past layout, and present layout into paragraphs. However, paragraphing and referencing are sometimes faulty, and cohesive devices are basic or missing. For instance, transitional phrases between sentences are limited, and referencing past versus present locations can be confusing, as seen in abrupt shifts like 'Central library 20 years ago' and 'Central library today'. To improve, you should use a wider variety of cohesive devices more accurately and ensure each paragraph has a clear, well-signposted topical focus.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is minimally adequate for the task, but it contains noticeable errors in word choice, form, and spelling that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Examples include phrasing like 'how it looks present', 'adul non-fiction books', 'loctated', 'orginal', and the cut-off word 'refre'. You make some attempts at less common vocabulary such as 'redevelopment' and 'demolished', but inaccurate word forms and spelling slips prevent higher achievement. To improve, focus on checking your spelling of everyday descriptive terms and use more precise collocational phrasing when describing spatial layouts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is a limited range of grammatical structures used, with frequent errors that can cause difficulty for the reader. You rely heavily on simple sentence patterns, and attempts at complex structures or passives often contain errors, such as missing articles ('illustrates layout of public library', 'enquiry desk has replaced with cafe') and subject-verb agreement issues ('tables and chairs was located'). Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent across the text. To lift your score, work on mastering basic article usage, verb tense consistency when describing past changes, and accurate passive voice constructions.

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