Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The diagram below illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 year ago and now how its look.

Overall, two diagram illustrates the changing of public library between 20 year ago and now.

Firstly, central library 20 year age had CDs, videos, computer games but today central library have children fiction book and two sofa coner of room. Then old libaray had one for children book but now library have been design this room into lecture room. And front of entrance had tables and chair in old library whille today library have no tables and chairs.

Secondly, central library 20 year ago had two room. one room had reading newpapers and magazines and second room had enquiry desk tickets, book return, etc while today libaray have two room. Finally, one room is computer room and second room is cafe. Then today library have all reference book and adult fiction book inside of library.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several important changes, including the removal of the tables and chairs, the conversion of the former children’s room into a lecture room, and the addition of a computer room and café. However, the response only partially covers the plan: it omits notable changes such as the new information desk and self-service machines, and the movement of adult fiction and reference books. The overview repeats that the library changed but does not summarise the main pattern of change. Some details are also unclear, for example, “two room” does not specify which rooms are being compared. The response is 146 words, below the 150-word minimum; the eight words copied from the task prompt are excluded from the count. Develop a clearer overview and report the main changes more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the upper rooms to other areas, and uses signposts such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “Finally.” These help the reader recognise that you are comparing the two plans. However, the progression is not consistently clear: “Secondly, central library 20 year ago had two room” introduces a comparison without identifying the rooms or their locations, while “Then today library have all reference book and adult fiction book inside of library” feels added on rather than connected to the preceding point. Repeated use of “Then” and “while” makes the linking mechanical, and there is no clear paragraphing to separate an overview from supporting details. Group changes by location or by old-versus-new function to create a more logical progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant basic vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “entrance,” “tables and chair,” “lecture room,” and “computer room,” so the main subject is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts difficult to interpret, such as “libaray,” “newpapers,” and “sofa coner.” Some phrases are imprecise or unnatural, including “one room had reading newpapers and magazines” and “had one for children book.” Use accurate labels from the plan and more precise change vocabulary, such as “was converted into,” “was replaced by,” or “was relocated.” Check spelling and use natural collocations; this would make the comparisons clearer without requiring unnecessarily advanced vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example, “Then old libaray had one for children book but now library have been design this room into lecture room.” However, these attempts are often faulty, and most sentence patterns are simple or repetitive. Errors in tense and agreement occur throughout: “20 year ago had,” “library have,” and “two diagram illustrates.” Articles and plurals are also frequently missing or incorrect, as in “had two room” and “tables and chair.” Punctuation is inconsistent, including the sentence beginning “one room” after a full stop. These errors sometimes make relationships between past and present features unclear. Practise accurate past-versus-present forms and build comparisons with controlled structures such as “Previously…, whereas today…”.

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

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