Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-09

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 diagram shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

In general, it can be clearly seen that the central library was redesigned after 20 years ago. Adult non-fiction books were replace by adult-fiction books. Thables and chairs were removed.

Looking at the diagram in more detail, 20 years ago, the central library had CDs, videos and computers games in one corner of library. There were children's books with same wall of library. Tables and chairs were held on the centre. There were also a reading room left side from the entrance and in the right side there were enduiry desk.

At present time, videos and games were replaced by storytelling events and children's fiction books, Sofa set was also included. Children's books were replaced by lecture room. Information desk and self-service machines were involved by replacing adult non-fiction books. Cafe was built on the place of enquiry desk. Reading room was replaced by computer room.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main purpose of the plans and note several important changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs, the new café, and the replacement of the reading room with a computer room. However, the overview is brief and does not clearly summarise the broader reorganisation, while some comparisons are inaccurate or unclear: for example, adult non-fiction was not replaced by adult fiction; the current adult-fiction area occupies the former adult non-fiction section, while reference books now occupy the former adult-fiction area. The description also omits notable changes such as the lecture room and self-service machines. The response is one word below the required 150-word minimum, and some details are underdeveloped.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a short overview, and separate descriptions of the earlier and current layouts. This gives the reader a basic sense of the comparison. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, and the description does not consistently guide the reader around the plan. Phrases such as “There were also” and “At present time” provide only basic links, while “with same wall of library” and “in the right side” make spatial relationships unclear. Grouping changes by location—for example, describing the left side first and then the right—would create a clearer sequence. Use more precise referencing and linking so each change connects explicitly to its former and current position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “reading room,” “entrance,” “self-service machines,” and “replaced,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems reduce precision. “Computers games” is not the correct form, “held on the centre” is an unnatural way to describe furniture, and “involved by replacing” does not clearly express the change. There are also spelling errors such as “Thables” and “enduiry.” Aim for accurate plan-description phrases such as “located in,” “made way for,” and “was converted into,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish the different book sections and facilities.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of sentence forms, including a general overview and past-versus-present comparisons, but control is inconsistent. Errors occur in verb forms and agreement, as in “were replace,” and in articles and prepositions, as in “in one corner of library” and “on the centre.” The sentence “There were children's books with same wall of library” also has an unclear grammatical relationship between the items. Most sentences are short and follow similar patterns, while attempts to express several changes in one sentence can become difficult to interpret. Practise accurate passive constructions such as “The reading room was replaced by a computer room,” and use complete, clearly structured sentences with correct articles and prepositions.

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