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 diagram below illustrates the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Overall, the entrance of the library wasn't change after 20 years but the tables & chairs which was infront of entrance door was removed in 2020. In 20 years the structure of library is totally change because nothing is same as previous library. The thing which is same after 20 years is adult fiction book section in the library however, it's position is changed.

In this 20 years of period time everything got changed. There was CDs, videos & computer games at the top left side of the library but after 20 years it changed and in that position storytelling events and Children's fiction books room made. Top right room is also changed after 20 years however, it was children's books section but now it is lecture room.

Bottom left corner is fully changed and in this 20 years period of time a the corner is renovated into the computer room from reading room. This is very good facility for students. Consequently, in this time period an interesting thing is opend at the bottom left corner of the library which is a Cafe, previusly that corner was enquiry desk room. Therefore, many things are changed in this 20 years and the students of that library get too many new facilities in this time period such as cafe, computer room and lecture room.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main fact that the entrance remains in the same place and note several important changes, including the former media room becoming a children’s fiction/storytelling room and the lecture room replacing children’s books. However, the overview overstates the changes: “nothing is same” is inaccurate because the adult fiction section remains, although it moves from the middle-left to the middle-right. Some details are also misreported: the café is in the bottom-right, not the bottom-left, and the former enquiry desk was an area rather than a room. The response gives little account of other major changes, such as the reference-book area, information desk and self-service machines. A more precise overview and fuller, accurate comparisons would strengthen coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an opening, an overview and paragraphs describing changes, and the reader can generally follow the comparison. However, progression is weakened by repeated general statements such as “In this 20 years of period time everything got changed” and “Therefore, many things are changed,” which add little information. Some linking expressions are mechanical or do not show a clear relationship: “Consequently” introduces the café, while “Therefore” repeats the conclusion. The description also jumps between locations, and the incorrect reference to the café’s corner makes the sequence harder to follow. Group the changes by area or by type, and use concise links such as “Meanwhile” or “In contrast” only where they clarify the comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “floor plan,” “section,” “corner,” “renovated” and “facility,” so the main ideas are usually understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or repetitive, including “everything got changed,” “in this 20 years period of time” and “too many new facilities.” Some word choices also misrepresent the plan: the enquiry desk is described as a “room,” and “opend” is an incorrect spelling of “opened.” Aim for more precise map vocabulary and natural collocations, such as describing areas as being “converted into” or “replaced by.” This would make the account clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with clauses, for example, “Top right room is also changed after 20 years however…” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make the writing less fluent. Examples include “the entrance … wasn’t change,” “the tables & chairs which was,” and “the structure … is totally change,” where verb forms and agreement are incorrect. Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in “a the corner,” while punctuation is missing around “however.” Use past forms for the earlier plan and present forms for the current one, and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries. Shorter, accurately controlled comparisons would improve clarity.

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