Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-12

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 map illustrates the changes that took place in central library before 20 years ago and present.

Overall, the area underwent significant development, changing relatively underdeveloped area into a more developed one.

Looking at central library 20 years ago, entrance was it the Southern part. Likewise, tables and chairs were at the center. CDs, videos, computer games were in the North western side, whereas children's books were opposite of it. Adult fiction books were next to adult non-fiction books. In Southeast region there were reading room( newspaper and magazines) and in Southwest corner enquiry desk ( tickets, book returns,etc) were located.

Currently, sofas were added in the Northwest region along with storytelling events and children's fiction books were constructed. Next to this, lecture room was developed and children's books were removed. Adult fiction books were transformed with all reference books. Following this, adult non fiction books were converted into audlt non-fiction books and information desk were placed with self service machines. Reading room were replaced with Computer room and in Southwest cafe was erected.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the broad change from the earlier layout to the current one and include several relevant locations, such as the entrance, central tables, children’s area and reading room. However, some key comparisons are inaccurate or unclear, which limits how fully the plan is reported. The earlier enquiry desk was in the southeast, not the southwest; the reading room was in the southwest, not the southeast. More importantly, the current adult fiction area replaced the former adult non-fiction area, while the former adult fiction section became the reference-book area. The statement that adult non-fiction was “converted into adult non-fiction” does not describe the change shown. Give a clearer overview of the main reorganisations and check each location and label against the plans.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of the earlier and current layouts. This gives the reader a basic progression through the information. You also use linking expressions such as “whereas,” “Currently,” and “Following this.” However, the overview is vague, and the body’s sequence is not consistently easy to follow: the description moves between sides of the plan and includes unclear references such as “Next to this.” Some connectors also imply relationships that are not explained. Organise each period in a consistent order—for example, from the northwest clockwise—and use precise references such as “in the former adult non-fiction area” to make comparisons clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable set of location and change-related vocabulary, including “North western side,” “opposite,” “transformed,” “replaced,” and “erected.” These choices show an attempt to describe a plan rather than simply list labels. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, sometimes obscuring the intended change. “Developed” is repeated and does not precisely describe a room’s function changing; “adult non-fiction books were converted into adult non-fiction books” is also an incorrect label for the current area. “Constructed” and “were erected” suggest new building work, whereas the diagram shows changes in use. Use exact plan labels and verbs such as “became,” “was reassigned as,” or “was replaced by.” Check spelling, including “adult” and “café.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and more complex comparisons, as in “CDs, videos, computer games were in the North western side, whereas children’s books were opposite of it.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships difficult to understand. Examples include “before 20 years ago,” “entrance was it the Southern part,” and “adult non fiction books were converted,” where tense, sentence construction, or agreement is faulty. There are also recurring problems with articles and plural agreement, as in “Reading room were replaced” and “information desk were placed.” Use consistent past tense for the earlier plan and present tense for today, and check subject–verb agreement and articles. Shorter, accurately formed sentences would help make the comparisons clearer.

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

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