Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 shows the structure of a public library 20 years ago and comparison with central library today with different aspects. Twenty years ago, the library consisted only seven parts but at present, many changes take place in the central library.

Overall, Sofa, storytelling events, lecture room, all reference books and many unique elements are added in the central library now.

In the past, library structure was divided into seven segment. In the right corner of the library, children's books, adult non-fiction books and enquiry desk which include tickets, book returns,etc. Whereas, library's left corner CDs, videos and computer games and in the middle adult fiction books and lower north corner reading room.

At present, central library refurnished and adopting many new changes. In the uper side of the central libray, there are two parts lecture room and storytelling events which include children's fiction books. Similarly, below side computer room and cafe. In the middle, all reference books and adult fiction books are availble in the library.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the library’s overall change and mention several genuine additions, including the storytelling area, lecture room, reference books, computer room and café. You also compare some former and current locations. However, the account is only partial: it omits important changes such as the removal of the central tables and chairs, the new self-service machines and information desk, and the relocation of adult fiction. Some details are unclear or inaccurate; for example, the former plan had more than seven labelled areas, and the current upper section is not simply “two parts” without explaining their positions. A clearer overview and more precise coverage of the main transformations would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure, moving from an introduction and overview to descriptions of the former and current layouts. This gives the reader a general sense of the comparison. However, progression within the paragraphs is uneven: the past-layout sentence strings together several locations, while the present-day account gives only a broad top/middle/bottom division and leaves relationships between features unclear. Linking words such as “Overall,” “Whereas,” and “Similarly” are attempted, but “Whereas” does not form a complete contrast here, and “Similarly” does not clearly connect the locations that follow. Organise each layout in a consistent route around the plan and use explicit comparisons to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “enquiry desk,” “adult non-fiction,” “storytelling events,” and “computer room.” These terms show awareness of the task’s subject. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or unnatural, which sometimes makes the layout difficult to interpret. For instance, “different aspects” is vague, “many unique elements” does not specify what changed, and “upper side” and “below side” are not natural ways to describe positions. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “uper,” “libray,” and “availble.” Use precise location language and check spelling and collocations to make the description clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the reader can usually understand the broad comparison. However, control is inconsistent, particularly in longer constructions. The opening phrase “comparison with central library today” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “the library consisted only seven parts” is missing a necessary preposition. There are also errors in number and agreement, as in “seven segment,” and the clause beginning “Whereas, library’s left corner…” is incomplete. Articles and sentence boundaries are also unreliable. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use accurate articles, plurals and prepositions; this will help you express the plan’s details without the reader having to infer the intended meaning.

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