Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-10

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 4.5)

The given map illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

20 years ago, there are C.D's videos , computer games, children's books, adult fiction books, some tables and chairs, adult non- fiction books, a reading room for newspaper and magazines, enquiry desk for tickets, book returns etc. Whereas today, there are two sofas some storytelling events and children's fiction books, a lecture room, adult fiction books, information desk, self service machines and a cafe .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify several labels from both plans, including the former reading room and enquiry desk and the current lecture room, information desk and café. However, the response mainly lists facilities rather than summarising the main changes or comparing their locations and functions; it also omits important changes such as the new computer room and the removal of the central tables and chairs. There is no clear overview of how the library has been reorganised. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, which leaves too little space to select and explain the key features. To improve, give an overview first, then describe the main changes by area, using accurate comparisons between the two plans.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has a basic time-based order: it first mentions the library 20 years ago and then introduces the present with “Whereas today”. This gives the reader a simple distinction between the two plans. However, almost all the information is compressed into two list-like sentences, with no paragraphing or clear progression from an overview to supporting details. The contrast marker “Whereas” is not used to connect two complete, balanced clauses, and the long sequences of facilities make relationships between items unclear. Organise the answer into an introduction and overview, followed by separate paragraphs comparing the former and current layout. Use linking phrases to show specific changes, such as “has been replaced by” or “is now located in”.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “floor plan”, “reading room”, “enquiry desk”, “self service machines” and “storytelling events”, so the reader can recognise many of the facilities. The range is nevertheless limited, and the response relies heavily on naming items rather than describing changes. Some forms and collocations are inaccurate or inconsistent, such as “C.D's videos” and “a reading room for newspaper and magazines”; “cafe” also lacks the accent in “café”. More precise language for map comparisons would help you report the information rather than simply list labels. Practise phrases such as “was converted into”, “was replaced by” and “remained in the same area”, while checking spelling, apostrophes and plural forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses a small range of sentence patterns, mainly simple statements and a list joined by commas. The opening sentence is understandable, but the present description begins “20 years ago, there are”, where the past-time reference calls for a past-tense verb. The second sentence also shifts from “there are” to “today” without a clear, complete comparison, and “Whereas today” is left as a fragment rather than forming a balanced clause. Articles and number agreement are also inconsistent in “a reading room for newspaper and magazines”. Use past simple for the earlier plan and present simple for the current one, and build complete comparative sentences. A wider range of accurate structures would make the changes clearer.

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