Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-19

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 blueprints illustrates the redevelopment of central library for over the period of 20 years. Overall, the whole structure of the library is completely renovated. The main highlighting changes include addition of information desks to provide general information to the readers and the cafe as a mind refreshing place. The entertainment section at the top left corner is being redesigned into a storytelling area accompanied by children fiction books. Besides, a lecture room is introduced in the place of children's book area. Another main changes are the computer room and the reference book section. The designated area for the enquiry desk is being replaced by a refreshment centre called cafe. Additionally, the table and chair are also replaced by a more practical approach of placing sofas where needed. Moreover, there is an installation of new self-service machines that cut the human labour cost and make it a cost-effective solution. At the end, the entrance remains as it was in the past 20 years. The whole redesign of the library is a reflection of an aesthetic place for the book lovers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify several important changes, including the new storytelling area, lecture room, computer room, café, and self-service machines, and you correctly note that the entrance remains in the same place. This gives the reader a relevant account of the redevelopment. However, some key changes are unclear or inaccurately described: the former top-left room held CDs, videos and computer games, not an “entertainment section,” and the sofas are in the storytelling room rather than replacing the central tables and chairs. The overview also says the whole structure was “completely renovated,” which overstates the changes. To strengthen the report, compare the former and current uses of the main areas more precisely, including the conversion of adult non-fiction to reference books and the relocation of adult fiction.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly understandable sequence, moving from an overview to individual changes and ending with the entrance. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Besides,” and “Additionally” help signal relationships between points. However, the information is presented as one continuous paragraph, and the progression between locations is not consistently clear. Several transitions introduce another change without showing how it relates spatially to the previous one, while “At the end” is not a natural way to introduce the final comparison. Group the details into paragraphs—for example, an overview followed by changes on each side of the plan—and use clear location-based references such as “on the left” and “in the former enquiry-desk area.” This would make the organisation easier to follow and reduce the list-like effect.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for describing changes, including “redevelopment,” “designated area,” “introduced,” and “replaced.” These choices show an attempt to use more specific language than basic descriptions. Some expressions, however, are imprecise or unnatural for a floor-plan report. “Mind refreshing place” and “aesthetic place” are not suitable descriptions of the café, while “main highlighting changes” and “more practical approach of placing sofas” are awkward collocations. “Entertainment section” is also too broad for the former room’s specific contents. Choose neutral, precise terms that describe what the plan shows, rather than adding unsupported evaluations or claims about cost and purpose. More accurate vocabulary would make the comparisons clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including longer sentences with clauses such as “that cut the human labour cost and make it a cost-effective solution.” The main ideas are generally understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. The opening should be “The blueprints illustrate,” because the subject is plural, and “over the period of 20 years” would be more naturally expressed as “over a 20-year period.” There are also agreement and article problems in “Another main changes” and “the table and chair are,” which should be “Another main change” and “the tables and chairs are.” Review singular and plural forms, articles, and verb agreement, and simplify sentences where several ideas are joined together. This would improve accuracy while retaining your range of structures.

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