Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-08

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 map compares the layout of a central library with it's modernized version today.

Overall, the library has undergone significant modernization to accommodate new facilities. The most notable change includes the addition of self-service machines which replace all manual working handle by enquiry desk. A cafe is now added in library after reconstruction.

The library before reconstruction consist of three room and enquiry desk.

On the north-west corner of the library a room was occupied for CDs, videos, and computer games, else on the front of it a room was used for storing children's books. On the other hand on the left side of entrance a reading room was used for reading newspaper and magzines. Whereas on the the right side and enquiry desk is made for booking tickets or to lend books. In the center chairs and tables occupied the space, cosisting adult fiction and non-fiction books on its both sides.

On the other hand, after modernization the library become spacious because chairs and tables are removed from center, else the facilities of sofa is provided in the north-west corner also consisting of children fiction books and storytelling events. Children books are is replaced by lecture room. While on the place of adult fiction books now all refrences of books are store. Adult non-fiction book is replace with fiction books and a information desk and most notable advancement is the introduction of self-service machines. Else the cafe is introduced in place of enquiry desk.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the main transformation and give an overview, noting the removal of the central tables and chairs, the arrival of self-service machines, and the new café. Most of the key changes are covered, including the conversion of the former children’s-books room into a lecture room and the change from reference books to adult fiction on the right. This breadth supports a strong response to the task. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the old plan’s children’s-books room was in the north-east, not “on the front” of the CDs room, and the new reference-book area is described as being “on the place of adult fiction,” although it replaced adult non-fiction. The overview also overstates the machines as replacing all work handled by the enquiry desk. More precise comparisons would complete the account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the earlier and current layouts. This gives the reader a basic chronological route through the plans. However, progression within the body paragraphs is uneven, and several details are difficult to follow because locations and changes are combined in long, loosely connected sentences. For example, “On the other hand on the left side of entrance…” shifts direction without a clear reference point, while “While on the place…” introduces another change without explaining its relationship to the previous one. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “Else” are repeated or used inaccurately. Grouping changes by area and using clear contrasts such as “formerly” and “now” would make the organisation more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “modernization,” “accommodate,” “self-service machines,” “reconstruction,” and “introduction.” These choices show an attempt to use more than basic location words. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the intended meaning less clear. For instance, “manual working handle by enquiry desk” does not naturally describe the desk’s former role, and “a room was occupied for” is not an appropriate way to say what it contained. There are also spelling errors such as “magzines” and “refrences,” alongside inconsistent forms such as “cafe.” Aim for precise, natural phrases for facilities and their functions, and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple statements and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “because,” “while,” and “which.” This gives the response some structural variety, but control is inconsistent, and errors often make sentences difficult to process. Examples include “the library … consist” and “the library become,” where past-tense forms are needed, and “Children books are is replaced,” which has faulty agreement and verb construction. Articles and plurals are also problematic in phrases such as “a information desk” and “three room.” Some sentences join clauses without a clear grammatical relationship, particularly the sentence beginning “On the other hand on the left side…”. Build accuracy first with clear past-versus-present descriptions, then combine ideas using correctly formed clauses.

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