Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-16

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 illustrate the floor plan of Central library for two decades ago and at present after redevelopment of the library.

Overall, the library used to be quite simple with minimal facilities 20 years ago. Looking at it now, it shows there is a significant transformation has been made with the addition of several leisure activities availabe.

Two decade ago, the library had some tables and chairs for the visitors in the centre, with the space for adult fiction books on the left and non-fiction on the right of the plan. Also, just near entrance there was room for newspapers and magazines to read and the enquiry desk was their gor general enquiries on each sides. Moving forward to the top left corner occupied for CDs, videos and computer games, and a specific place for children's books on the top right corner.

Looking at the library today, the vicinity of entrance has complete transformed, replacing the reading room with computer lab and the enquiry counter with the cafe, making the place to get some refereshments and comfort as well. However, the space of non-fiction books is now using for several facilities such as information desk along with self-service machines and the tiny place for fiction books.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main change from a simple library layout to one with additional facilities, and you compare several former and current areas. However, coverage is partial: the overview focuses on “leisure activities” rather than clearly summarising the major reorganisation, and several important changes are omitted, including the new children’s fiction/storytelling room, lecture room, and the relocation of reference books. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: the enquiry desk was not “on each sides,” and the current adult-fiction area is not described as a “tiny place.” To strengthen the response, report the key changes systematically and distinguish what was replaced, relocated, or newly added, using the plan’s labels accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a paragraph about the former plan, and a final paragraph about the current layout. This gives the reader a generally coherent route through the comparison. Linking phrases such as “Overall,” “Also,” and “Looking at the library today” help signal progression, although some transitions feel mechanical or do not connect ideas precisely. For example, “Moving forward to the top left corner” is an awkward shift within the description, and the final paragraph covers only selected current features, leaving the comparison incomplete. Organise the body by corresponding areas or by major changes, and use clearer references to show how each former space relates to its present use.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “floor plan,” “redevelopment,” “enquiry desk,” and “self-service machines,” so the main subject is usually clear. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, such as “significant transformation” and “leisure activities.” However, several inaccurate or awkward choices reduce precision: “availabe,” “gor general enquiries,” “refereshments,” and “comfort” are misspelled or unsuitable in context, while “computer lab” and “cafe” do not match the plan’s labels as closely as “computer room” and “café.” Some phrases, including “the vicinity of entrance,” are also unnatural. Aim for accurate collocations and use the diagram’s terminology consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast with “However” and a participial construction in “replacing the reading room with computer lab.” Nevertheless, errors are frequent enough to make some relationships difficult to follow. For example, “it shows there is a significant transformation has been made” combines incompatible structures; “Two decade ago” has incorrect number agreement; and “the space of non-fiction books is now using” has an incorrect verb form. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “near entrance” and “the enquiry desk was their…” Practise building accurate past and present descriptions, checking subject–verb agreement, articles, and complete sentence patterns before adding complex clauses.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.