Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-11

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 maps shows how central library changed between 20 years ago and today.

Overall,the area became more develped,with several new features added and some existing features removed.

In the earlier map,reading room (newspapers and magazines) was located on the left side after entrance.Today,it has been replaced by computer room.Enquiry desk(tickets,book returns,etc.)on the right of entrance also have been replaced by a new cafe.Next to these were tables and chairs however now they have been removed and nothing other is on its place.Adult fiction books are also removed,now all reference books are available at this spot.

In addition,CDs,videos,computer games had been removed,where chidren's fiction books are now available with double sofas and story telling events spot.The children's books had been removed,with a lecture room taking place today.Down to it are adult fiction books with an information desk and thrice self-service machines.The only one key feature that remain unchanged today is entrance of central library

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main transformation clearly: the library has been reorganised, with the reading room becoming a computer room, the enquiry desk area becoming a café, and the central tables and chairs removed. You also report several important changes to the book areas and the new lecture room. This gives a relevant overview and addresses the comparison. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the adult fiction area from the earlier plan is not simply removed; it is relocated to the middle-right, while the former adult non-fiction area becomes the information-desk and self-service area. The current plan also includes a storytelling area with sofas, which you mention, but the description of its location and relationship to the former CD room could be clearer. More precise coverage of these changes would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overall statement, and two paragraphs describing changes. The use of time markers such as “In the earlier map” and “Today” helps readers follow the comparison, and “In addition” signals a further group of changes. However, the progression within the detail paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because several locations and changes are packed into long sentences. For example, “Next to these were tables and chairs however now they have been removed” does not make the spatial relationship fully clear. Some linking is also mechanical, and punctuation around transitions is inconsistent. Grouping changes by side of the plan and using clearer references such as “the former…” would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “replaced,” “removed,” “available,” and “self-service machines,” so the main changes are generally understandable. There is also some attempt to use more specific labels from the diagram. However, several word choices and spelling errors reduce precision, including “develped,” “double sofas,” “story telling events spot,” and “thrice self-service machines.” “Double sofas” does not accurately describe the two sofas, while “thrice” is not the natural way to report a count here. Repeated use of “removed” also makes the description less varied and can imply that facilities disappeared rather than moved. Use accurate location and change vocabulary, such as “relocated,” “converted into,” and “two sofas.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including the contrast in “however now they have been removed” and the clause “where children’s fiction books are now available.” The overall meaning can usually be recovered, but errors in sentence formation and agreement occur across the response. For example, “The maps shows” has subject–verb disagreement, and “Enquiry desk … also have been replaced” uses an incorrect verb form for a singular subject. Several sentences omit necessary verbs or articles, as in “Enquiry desk … on the right of entrance,” while “nothing other is on its place” has an unclear grammatical construction. Punctuation is also inconsistent, especially missing spaces after commas and full stops. Check each sentence for a complete clause, correct agreement, and clear tense choices.

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