Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-13

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 diagram illustrates floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and in present day.

Overall, it is clear that central library had many placecs changed and replaced throught period. Moreover, some new placecs were added in present day.

In 20 years ago, CDs, videos computer games were located at north and west corner. Whereas, children's books are upside to adult non-fiction books, Readsing room ( newspapers & magazines ) situated at west-south corner and beside enquiry desk for ( tickets, book ruturns, etc.). Table & chairs are at ahead to the entrance.

In present day, all placecs were replaced throught new placecs expect the entrance of library. CDs, videos computer games were replaced by sofa and storytelling events or children's fiction books. Lecture room added north-west corner, which was children's books room in 20 years ago. Moreover, computer room, cafe, all refrence books, adult fiction books, were added in present day. In addtion, self-service machines are situated at information desk.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main change—that the library was substantially reorganised—and compare several former and current facilities. For example, you note the replacement of the central tables and chairs and mention the new computer room, café and reference-book area. However, some locations and changes are unclear or inaccurate: the lecture room is in the north-east, not the north-west, and the former children’s-books room became the lecture room, while the children’s fiction and storytelling area occupies the former CDs/media room. The overview also says only that places changed, without highlighting the main pattern of reorganisation, such as the removal of the reading room and enquiry desk and the addition of new service areas. Select and describe these key changes more precisely, and develop the comparisons more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate paragraphs for the former and current layouts. This helps the reader follow the broad time comparison. However, progression within the paragraphs is uneven, and several details are difficult to connect spatially. For instance, “Whereas” begins a fragment rather than a complete contrast, while “Moreover” and “In addition” are used to add items without clarifying how they relate to the layout. The repeated use of “In present day” and “Moreover” also makes linking somewhat mechanical. Group features by area or by type of change, and use clear contrasts such as “whereas” within complete sentences. More precise referencing would make the comparisons easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant map vocabulary, including “located,” “situated,” “replaced,” and “self-service machines,” and you attempt to describe both positions and changes. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the account harder to understand: “placecs,” “throught,” “Readsing,” “ruturns,” and “refrence.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “at ahead to the entrance” and “upside to adult non-fiction books.” Use standard directional language and accurate facility names, and check spelling carefully. More precise verbs such as “relocated,” “converted into,” or “remained” would help distinguish different kinds of change rather than repeatedly saying that places were “replaced.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including a comparison beginning “Whereas” and a relative clause in “Lecture room added …, which was…”. However, control is inconsistent, and some sentence structures are incomplete or awkward. “Whereas, children’s books are upside to adult non-fiction books” is not a complete, well-formed contrast, and “Lecture room added” is missing a clear passive verb form. There are also problems with articles, tense and sentence construction, as in “illustrates floor plan” and “In 20 years ago.” Aim for complete sentences with a consistent past tense for the earlier plan and present tense for today. For example, write “The lecture room was added in the north-east corner” and “Twenty years ago, the children’s room was beside the adult non-fiction section.”

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