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 given layouts illustrate the plan of central library 20 years before, along with current state.

Overall, it is evident that there are several facilities developed in central library for the children, such as eatnery section and self-service machines.

To begin with, central library 20 years ago, there was a CDs, videos and computer games in northwest side , but it is replaced with storytelling events, along with sofa facilities in current library bulding. Additinally, the adult fiction books converted into all referances books and the reading room like newspapers and magazines transformed into computer rooms in current library.

Moreover, there was a children's books in northest side , but it is replced by lecture room and also, the adult non- fiction books are introduced information desk and self- service machines. Furthermore, the enquiry desk was there before 20 years ago, but it is replaced by cafe. Also,there were tables and chairs in central library before 20 years ago, but it is completly removed in present day and the entrance remained same in the library.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main purpose of the plans and give a useful overview that the library has gained facilities, particularly for children, and self-service machines. Most key changes are reported accurately: the former media room becomes a storytelling space, the reading room becomes a computer room, the enquiry desk is replaced by a café, and the central tables and chairs are removed while the entrance stays in place. The comparison of the adult fiction area with the reference-book area is also relevant. However, some details are unclear or incomplete: the children’s books area becomes a lecture room, while the adult non-fiction area becomes adult fiction with an information desk and machines. Naming these changes precisely and explaining the overall reorganisation more fully would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear basic structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing changes in different parts of the plan. Sequencing expressions such as “To begin with,” “Moreover,” and “Furthermore” help the reader follow the comparisons. However, the linking is sometimes mechanical, and repeated “but” constructions make the account read like a list of separate replacements. Some references are also imprecise; for example, “the adult non-fiction books are introduced information desk” does not clearly show which area changed or how the desk relates to it. Grouping changes by location or by type of facility, and using clearer references such as “this area” or “in the current plan,” would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “replaced,” “transformed,” “self-service machines,” and “entrance.” This gives you enough topic language to communicate the main changes. However, spelling errors and inaccurate word choices are noticeable, including “eatnery,” “bulding,” “referances,” “northest,” and “replced.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, such as “sofa facilities” and “there was a CDs.” Use standard labels from the plan where possible, and choose precise terms such as “café” rather than a general description of an eating area. Improving spelling and collocation would make the information easier to understand and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences with contrast, for example, “the enquiry desk was there before 20 years ago, but it is replaced by cafe.” This shows an effort to compare past and present. However, errors in tense, articles, agreement, and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “there was a CDs,” “the adult fiction books converted,” and “the adult non-fiction books are introduced information desk.” Use past forms for the earlier plan and present forms for the current one, with a clear passive structure where appropriate: “was replaced by” or “has been converted into.” Check articles and singular/plural agreement, and punctuate spaces consistently. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the comparisons.

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

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