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 process chart illustrates the two flour plans of central library 20 years ago and how it looks today.

Overall, library has shows dramatic change and structure of main idea. Most noticable change is the removal of tables and chairs while today central library has addition of cafe and computer room. In addition arrangment of books have been modified.

Twenty year ago, library contain seprate sections for adult fiction books and non-fiction books. children books were located in the top right corner and video computer games were located in the top left corner of the library. A reading room (newspaper and magazines) was located in the bottom left corner. Enquiry desk was located in the bottom right corner.

Today, library shows significantily changes and library has a modren layout. children fiction books are now on top left side and leacture room are located in the top right corner. A computer room are located in the bottom left corner while cafe is located in the right corner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main purpose and give a clear overview of major changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs and the addition of a café and computer room. Several locations from the earlier plan are also reported accurately. However, coverage of the current layout is partial: you mention the children’s fiction area and lecture room, but omit important changes such as the reference books, adult fiction area, information desk and self-service machines. The statement that the library has a “modren layout” is general rather than a specific comparison, and the description of the café as being in “the right corner” is less precise than the plan. Include more of the key changes and compare the book sections directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence: an introduction, an overview, then separate paragraphs for the former and current layouts. This makes the broad comparison easy to follow, and time markers such as “Twenty year ago” and “Today” help orient the reader. However, progression within the description is limited because the current-layout paragraph lists only a few features and does not connect them to the corresponding former areas. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “located” and “while.” Develop a clearer route through the plan and use comparisons such as “whereas” or “in place of” to show how spaces were repurposed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “top right corner,” “reading room,” “adult fiction books,” and “removal.” These choices communicate several locations and changes. However, the range is limited and some wording is inaccurate or unnatural: “process chart” does not describe a floor plan, “structure of main idea” is unclear, and “library has a modren layout” is vague. Spelling errors such as “noticable,” “seprate,” “arrangment,” and “leacture” are noticeable and reduce precision. Aim for accurate plan-related terms and vary repeated expressions such as “located.” Proofreading spelling and choosing natural collocations would make the description clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use a mixture of short statements and some longer sentences, and the reader can generally understand the intended locations. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, with errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and plurals. For example, “library has shows” combines incompatible verb forms, while “library contain” and “A computer room are located” have incorrect subject–verb agreement. “Twenty year ago” also needs a plural time expression, and “children books” requires a possessive form. The overview sentence “Most noticable change is the removal…” is missing an article. Practise accurate simple sentence patterns first, then add complex comparisons while checking each subject and verb.

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