Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given diagrams illustrate the changes taken place in the central library.

In the old map of library, there was reading room on the left corner while enquiry desk was at the right corner near entrance of the library. Reading room had availibility of newspapers and magazines. On the other hand, enquiry desk deals with tickets and book returns. In the middle of library, there was sitting area which consisted of tables and chairs. On the right corner of sitting area, there was availability of adult non-fiction books. However, on the left corner of table and chairs, infront of reading room, there was facility to grab adult fiction books. After crossing sitting area, there was children's books on the right corner. While CDs, videos and computer games was on the opposite side of it.

In the new map, after passing entrance gate, computer room and cafe are present on the left and right corner, respectively. After moving forward, reference books are available on the mid left corner. However, self-service machines, information desk and adult fiction books are available on the mid right corner. After moving towards library end, lecture room is on the last right corner of library. In front of it, there is a room having facility of sitting furniture like sofas, children's fiction books as well as storytelling events.

Overall, addition of cafe in new map is a good decision as it would be convenient for people to grab food items and later enjoy it while studying.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several relevant features in both plans, including the former reading room and enquiry desk, the removal of the central tables, and the new computer room, café, lecture room and children’s area. However, the response only partially fulfils the task because it does not clearly summarise the main overall changes. The final paragraph gives a personal opinion about the café rather than an objective overview of how the library has been reorganised. Some details are also imprecise: the enquiry desk is described as being near the entrance, and the new children’s room is said to be “in front of” the lecture room without clearly locating it. Add a concise overview of the major conversions and describe positions more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: it first describes the old plan, then the current plan, and uses a separate final paragraph. This makes the broad comparison easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “On the other hand,” “However,” and “Overall” help signal relationships, although some are used mechanically or do not express a clear contrast. The repeated sequence “After crossing,” “After passing,” and “After moving” also makes the description sound like a route rather than a comparison of floor plans. Improve progression by grouping changes by area or function, and use clearer references—for example, state which former rooms were replaced by the new facilities. The final opinion also interrupts the otherwise descriptive organisation.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing the plan, including “enquiry desk,” “adult non-fiction books,” “self-service machines,” and “storytelling events.” These terms show familiarity with the diagram’s labels, and the meaning is generally clear. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “changes taken place,” “availability of” books, “library end,” and “sitting furniture.” There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “availibility” and “infront.” Prefer concise, accurate location language such as “in the upper-left room” or “in the central area,” and use the plan’s labels directly where possible. More precise collocations would make the description sound more natural and reduce ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, and most relationships between features remain understandable. However, some errors in sentence structure, articles, agreement and verb forms are noticeable. For example, “the changes taken place” needs a relative or participial construction (“the changes that have taken place”), while “there was children’s books” has incorrect agreement and article use. In “CDs, videos and computer games was,” the plural subject requires “were.” Several sentences also use awkward or incomplete patterns, such as “After moving towards library end.” Practise accurate noun phrases and subject–verb agreement, and vary sentence openings rather than relying on repeated “there was” constructions. These corrections would improve control while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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

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