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 provided diagram illustrate the changes that have been taken place in central library over a period of time in 20 years.

Overall, Central library has undergone significant modernization and redevelopment.

The most noticeable changes include the addition of Cafe, Self-services machines, Computer rooms, Digital facilities, while traditional seating was removed.

Looking old map of library left side in the map reading room was present in modern library it were replaced by computer room.

In top of section of library 20 years ago area covered by CDs, videos gaming room were present after 20 years it were replaced by storytelling events these area were redesigned.

Regarding new addition center part of library which previously occupied by tables and chairs in modernization map it were replaced.

Adult non-fiction books replaced by adult fiction books and self-services machines and the area covered by enquiry desk is replaced by cafe which is good for students to eat something when they felt hungry so their nervous system boost-up during studying, although reading room replaced by digital computer which one the greater or awesome modernization.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the overall redevelopment and report several relevant changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs, the conversion of the former reading room into a computer room, and the replacement of the enquiry desk area with a café. However, some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear: the former CDs/videos room became a children’s fiction and storytelling area, not simply a storytelling room, and the adult non-fiction area became an adult fiction area with an information desk and self-service machines. The response also omits important changes such as the lecture room and the relocation of reference books. The comments about students eating and their nervous system are not appropriate map features. A more precise overview and fuller, factual comparisons would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and descriptions of changes. It also attempts to organise details by location, using phrases such as “In top of section” and “Regarding new addition center part.” However, progression is difficult to follow because the comparisons are not consistently grouped or clearly expressed. Several sentences contain multiple ideas joined loosely, particularly the final sentence, which moves from the café to the reading room without a clear transition. Linking phrases such as “after 20 years” are repeated, while references such as “these area” and “it” are unclear. Organise the body into clear left-side and right-side comparisons, and use concise linking expressions to show what changed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “modernization,” “replaced,” “tables and chairs,” and “self-services machines.” This gives the reader a general sense of the changes. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “gaming room” for the former media area, “greater or awesome modernization,” and “their nervous system boost-up.” “Digital facilities” is also too broad to describe the specific changes shown. Spelling and word-form issues, including “Cafe” and “Self-services,” further reduce precision. Aim for accurate map vocabulary and neutral, formal phrasing, such as “converted into,” “relocated,” and “enclosed room,” rather than evaluative or conversational expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer comparative sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors often make relationships between features difficult to understand. For example, “The provided diagram illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “it were replaced” appears repeatedly where the subject and verb form do not agree. The sentence beginning “Looking old map” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and the final sentence combines several clauses without reliable punctuation. Articles, plurals, and prepositions are also frequently missing or misused. Practise building accurate comparison patterns, such as “The reading room was converted into a computer room,” and check each sentence for a clear subject, a correctly formed verb, and appropriate punctuation.

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