Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-07

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 diagrams that displays the comparison between the recent public library layout and the layout of 20 years ago.

Overall, It is cleared that the public library experienced significant change. The library added all new designs except the adult fiction book area that is shifted from the left side to the right side.

According to original layout, the central library had 4 rooms at the corners. At the right side, there was the enquiry desk area that used for tickets and book returns. In front of this area, the north corner was occupied by the children's book area. While on the left side of the library, the north corner has a room where different activities like CDs, videos, and computer games are performed. Reading room held at the beneath corner where newspaper and magazines were available. At the centre of the library, tables and chairs were decorated. Empty space between rooms filled with adult fiction and non-fiction books.

Central library today, the enquiry desk area has replaced by cafe while the children's book area has changed into lecture room. The room for storytelluing events are performed took place of that room where activities were performed. It consit on two sofa and the children's fiction books are also available. Reading room changed into computer room. Now, table and chairs has been removed. Empty spaces filled with all refrence book and adult fiction books, information desk, self service machine.

It is noted that the library facilitated with modern changes now then 20 years ago

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main change over time and report several accurate conversions: the former enquiry area becomes a café, the children’s book room becomes a lecture room, and the old reading room becomes a computer room. You also note the removal of the central tables and chairs and the relocation of adult fiction. However, some important details are unclear or incomplete. For example, the current left-side area contains all reference books, while the former adult non-fiction area is now part of the adult-fiction area with an information desk and self-service machines; these changes are not clearly explained. The overview that the library added “all new designs” is too general. A more precise overview and fuller comparison of the main areas would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a description of the former plan, and a description of the current plan. This gives the reader a generally coherent route through the information. Location phrases such as “on the right side” and “at the centre” also help organise the description. However, some links between ideas are awkward or unclear, particularly “The room for storytelling events are performed took place of that room,” which makes the relationship between the two plans difficult to follow. The final sentence repeats the general idea of modernisation rather than adding a clear comparison. Use more consistent spatial grouping and straightforward transitions such as “In contrast” or “Meanwhile” to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a floor plan, including “enquiry desk,” “reading room,” “replaced,” and “removed.” This gives you a workable range for the task, and most intended meanings can be understood. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “tables and chairs were decorated,” “activities … are performed,” and “Empty spaces filled with.” Spelling and word-form errors, including “storytelluing,” “consit,” and “refrence,” also reduce precision. Aim for standard map-description phrases such as “was located,” “was converted into,” and “the space was occupied by.” More accurate collocations and careful proofreading would make your descriptions clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons between the two plans, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in sentence structure, tense, agreement, and articles occur across the response. For instance, “The diagrams that displays” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “the enquiry desk area has replaced by cafe” needs a passive construction and an article. In “The room for storytelling events are performed took place,” the clause structure and verb forms make the meaning difficult to follow. There are also inconsistent past and present forms when describing the plans. Practise using clear past-tense descriptions for the former layout and present-tense descriptions for the current one, with accurate passive forms such as “was replaced by.”

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

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