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 two maps illustrate the floor plan of publlic library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Overall, the central library has yndergone redevelopmnts, with several of new lecture room, cafe and computer room. The most notable changes are the replacements of adult fiction and non-fiction books with reference books, information desk and self-service machines, moreover the tables and chairs are removed.

Central Library 20 years ago, the northeast part of library was accupied by children books, while the northwest side is swamped by CD, videos and computer games. The center of the libray is full of tables and chairs, but on the east part full with adult non-fiction books and adult fiction books place on west part. Moreover, the entrance is bottom on the map, the reading room is south west corner and enquiry desk is south east part of the libray.

At present, the northest corner is extended and repalced with stroltelling events and children fiction books. All the refernce books was palced on west and the information desk, self-service machines is placed on south side. In addtion the computer room is southwest side and cafe postion is southeast part of the library.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover both time periods and provide an overview of the main redevelopment, including the new lecture room, café and computer room, the removal of the central tables and chairs, and changes to the book areas. Most locations are reported accurately, such as the children’s area in the northeast and the café in the southeast. However, some important changes are unclear or incomplete: the former children’s books room became a lecture room, while the former CDs/videos room became the children’s fiction and storytelling room. The current adult fiction area and the former enquiry desk are also not clearly compared. Develop these changes more precisely to make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and separate descriptions of the earlier and current plans. This helps the reader follow the broad comparison. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes awkward, and several details are joined in long or unclear sentences. For example, “the center of the library is full of tables and chairs, but on the east part full with…” does not clearly connect the locations or complete the contrast. Linking phrases such as “Moreover” and “In addition” are used, but they do not always clarify the relationship between details. Organise each period from one side of the plan to the other, and use clear location-based transitions to improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “floor plan,” “replaced,” “reference books,” “self-service machines,” and compass directions. These choices communicate many of the main features. However, spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural word combinations are noticeable, including “publlic,” “redevelopmnts,” “swamped by,” and “cafe postion.” Some wording also makes the intended change less clear, such as “the northest corner is extended and repalced with…” Choose precise verbs such as “converted into” or “relocated,” and check spelling carefully. More accurate collocations and consistent use of terms from the plan would make the description easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple sentences and more complex structures, including the overview sentence beginning “The most notable changes are…” and contrasts introduced with “while” and “but.” However, errors in sentence construction, verb forms, agreement, and articles are evident. For example, “with several of new lecture room” has an incorrect determiner and singular form, while “All the reference books was palced” has subject–verb disagreement. The sentence “the information desk, self-service machines is placed” also has a plural subject with a singular verb. Some clauses omit necessary verbs, as in “on the east part full with…”. Review agreement and sentence completeness, and proofread articles and tense choices.

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