Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-20

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 explains the floor plan of central library 20 years ago and how it looks recently.

Overall, the central library undergone a series of changes,with the introduction of some new features,while some unwanted areas are removed in recent renovation.

In the past, while entering from main gate the centre of library was refered to as sitting area occupied by tables and chairs.Currently,this area is removed and replaced by two L shaped sofas exactly at the north west corner.Children 's books corner was present at the north east corner,that is now modernised to children's fiction books.Moreover,story telling events are also organised in this area.Sitting arrangement is also available here.

CDs,videos and computer games were alocated in the north west corner. But now, a computer room is availale for any sort of online reserach purposes.In the old lay out of lirary Adult fiction and non fiction books were at the left and right side,that is now present as adult fiction books.

Some new developments include self sevice machines and an information desk as well.There was no snacking facility but now, a cafe is available at the south east corner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify several major changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs, the addition of a café and self-service machines, and the new storytelling area. However, the account only partially covers the plan and includes important inaccuracies: the sofas are in the north-west room, not a replacement in the central area; the former CDs room is now for children’s fiction and storytelling, while the computer room occupies the former reading-room area. The comparison of adult book sections is also unclear, and the lecture room and reference books are omitted. The overview is broad but does not clearly summarise the main pattern of reorganisation. More precise location-by-location comparisons would make the report more complete and reliable.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, a general overview, and paragraphs describing changes. This gives the reader a starting point, and transitions such as “Currently,” “Moreover,” and “But now” signal comparison. However, the progression between locations is not consistently clear. For example, the paragraph moves from the central area to the north-east and then back to the north-west, while the final paragraph lists additions without explaining their positions in relation to the old layout. Some linking is mechanical, and the long sentences run ideas together. Organise the body by matching each former area with its current use, and use clear references such as “in the north-west” or “in the south-east” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of task-related terms, including “floor plan,” “north east corner,” “self service machines,” and “snacking facility,” so the topic is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal wording, such as “introduction” and “developments.” However, noticeable spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural choices reduce clarity: “refered,” “alocated,” “availale,” and “reserach” are misspelled, while “unwanted areas” is not an appropriate description of library spaces. Phrases such as “modernised to children's fiction books” and “present as adult fiction books” are also awkward. Build accuracy by checking spelling and choosing precise terms for changes in use, rather than relying on broad or conversational expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “while” and a relative clause in “that is now modernised.” However, errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include the missing auxiliary in “the central library undergone,” the incorrect construction “was refered to as sitting area,” and the unclear sentence “Adult fiction and non fiction books were at the left and right side, that is now present as adult fiction books.” Articles and punctuation are also inconsistently controlled, as in “at north east corner” and the run-together sentence after “chairs.” Use shorter, complete sentences, check verb forms and articles, and separate contrasting information with appropriate punctuation.

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