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 maps illustrates the development of a central library in 20 years. The library has undergone significant changes that have

completely transformed it according to the modern trends.

First of all, a cafe has been built on the right side of the entrance where people can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee to refresh themselves. In order to remove table and chairs from the walkway, a sitting arrangement has been set up on the top left corner of the library, where storytelling events can be arranged, combined with children's fiction book section.

The children's book section is now converted into a lecture room and a computer room has been introduced on the left side of entrance. All the reference books shelves are put in the space between the computer room and the children's room. The information desk has now been relocated to right side after the cafe where several self-service machines have also been placed along with the adult fiction books shelve.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the new café, the storytelling area, the lecture room, the computer room and the self-service machines. However, the response does not give a clear overview of the main transformation, and some details are inaccurate or unclear. For example, the café is in the bottom-right area, not simply “on the right side of the entrance,” and the information desk is in the middle-right area rather than “after the cafe.” The former children’s-books room became a lecture room, while the new children’s fiction and storytelling area is at the top left. You also omit notable changes such as the removal of the reading room and enquiry desk. Cover the main changes more systematically and distinguish the old and new locations clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, beginning with a general statement and then describing several changes, so the reader can follow its broad purpose. However, the progression is not consistently clear: “First of all” introduces one feature, but the following sentences move between locations and functions without a stable route through the plan. The final sentence combines the information desk, machines and adult fiction area in a way that makes their positions difficult to distinguish. There is also no clear concluding overview to group the major changes. Organise the details into a more deliberate comparison—for example, describe the left side first and then the right, or group new facilities separately—and use precise references such as “in the former reading-room area.”

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing changes and facilities, including “undergone significant changes,” “converted,” “introduced,” “relocated” and “self-service machines.” These choices help communicate the main developments, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some expressions are imprecise or unnatural for a floor-plan report, however. “Sitting arrangement” is less suitable than a direct description of the new children’s area, while “shelves are put” and “book section” are not natural collocations in this context. “Refresh themselves” adds an unsupported purpose rather than reporting the map. Aim for concise, neutral map language and use accurate labels such as “reference books,” “children’s fiction area” and “is located.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including the purpose clause “In order to remove table and chairs…” and the relative clause “where storytelling events can be arranged.” Most of the message remains understandable, but some errors recur. The opening has subject–verb disagreement: “The maps illustrates” should be “The maps illustrate.” There are also article and plural problems in “remove table and chairs,” and the passive construction “All the reference books shelves are put” is not well formed. The long final sentence would benefit from clearer clause structure and punctuation. Check agreement, articles and plural forms, and use consistent past-versus-present phrasing when comparing the two plans.

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