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 illustrate the changes made to the floor plan of a public library now compared to 20 years ago.

Overall, their were many changes brought to the public library compared to past, lecture room, cafe and story telling events etc., are some new themes that were added. whereas the however the adult non-fiction books, tables and chairs and reading room were entirely replaced.

In the floor, from entrance towards the right corner of north their is a lecture room which was replaces from children's books, if we head to left corner we can see story telling events and children's fiction books where CDs, vidios and comuter games were present. while at the center their were tables and chairs in the past, but their is empty space present in place of them.

Present the cafe which is near to the right corner side of the entrence and towards the left side of entrance their is computer room present, however enquiry desk was present in the place of cafe which is now shifted just below the lecture room, lastely the adult fiction book were replace by all referance books now.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify that the plan has changed and mention several important additions, including the lecture room, café, storytelling area and computer room. You also compare some former and current uses of the same spaces. However, the overview is unclear and includes an inaccurate claim that the adult non-fiction area was replaced; the current plan instead shows adult fiction in that area, with self-service machines and an information desk. Some locations are also misreported: the enquiry desk is not shifted below the lecture room, and the current information desk is in the adult-fiction area. To strengthen the response, give a clear overview of the main reorganisation and check each comparison against the plan.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to descriptions of different areas. It also uses some sequencing language, such as “from entrance towards the right” and “if we head to left corner.” However, progression is difficult to follow because locations and changes are combined in long, loosely connected sentences. The overview’s “whereas the however” is confusing, and “Present the cafe” does not clearly signal a transition. Organise the body by zones or by major changes, and use clear contrasts such as “In the former plan…” and “Today…”. This would make the comparisons easier to track and reduce reliance on repeated “and” and “however.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant map vocabulary, including “floor plan,” “lecture room,” “computer room,” “entrance” and “replaced,” so the reader can recognise the main subject. There is also some attempt to describe position with phrases such as “towards the left side.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “new themes,” “in the floor,” and “shifted just below.” Spelling errors such as “vidios,” “comuter” and “referance” are noticeable, while “cafe” should be written “café” or “cafe” consistently. Use precise terms for library facilities and spatial relationships, and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including contrasts with “while” and “however,” and the overall meaning is sometimes recoverable. However, errors in sentence structure, tense, agreement and punctuation are frequent enough to make several comparisons difficult to interpret. Examples include “their were many changes,” “which was replaces,” and “while at the center their were tables.” The sentence beginning “Present the cafe” is also incomplete, and the overview contains a confusing combination of “whereas” and “however.” Practise accurate past-versus-present forms and build shorter, complete comparison sentences. Check subject–verb agreement, articles and sentence boundaries, especially when joining clauses.

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