Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-27
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 5.0)
The diagram illustrates floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it look today.
Overall, central library today looks very modern and more improved in side of new features but the tables & chairs in front of the entrance is missing. Wheares, 20 years ago central library had basic facilities.
20 years ago in top left corner CDs,videos,computer games and in left corner childrens books can had. As compared to today update features like: 2 sofas, story telling, childrens fiction books and top right corner lecture room develop in place of childrens books.
On the other hand, in central area adult and non-adult fiction books in past is updated with reference books and adult fiction books,information desk,service machines installed.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the broad change from the earlier layout to the current one, including the removal of the central tables and the addition of facilities such as a lecture room and self-service machines. However, the response covers the plan only partially and is under-developed: it omits several major changes, including the former reading room becoming a computer room, the enquiry desk area becoming a café, and the relocation or reorganisation of children’s and adult fiction sections. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying children’s books were in the left corner; they were in the top-right room. The response is also below the required 150 words: 110 words, with 12 prompt words excluded. Add a fuller overview and report the main changes accurately.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the old and new layouts. Linking expressions such as “Overall” and “On the other hand” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is limited because the comparisons are compressed into broad, sometimes confusing statements rather than organised by area or by changes over time. For example, “in central area adult and non-adult fiction books in past is updated with reference books…” is difficult to follow and does not clearly separate the former and current arrangements. Use one paragraph for the overview and separate body paragraphs comparing the left and right sides, or the main changes, with clear references to “formerly” and “now.”
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant vocabulary for describing a library plan, including “floor plan,” “entrance,” “reference books,” “information desk,” and “service machines.” This gives the reader a basic sense of the facilities being compared. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “improved in side of new features,” “update features,” and “develop in place of.” Spelling and word formation also need attention in “Wheares,” “childrens,” and “story telling.” These errors sometimes make the intended comparison harder to understand. Build a more precise set of terms for describing locations and changes, such as “was replaced by,” “was converted into,” and “is situated in the north-west corner.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts both simple statements and longer comparisons, but the range of sentence structures is limited and complex attempts are often faulty. Errors occur in verb forms and agreement, as in “how it look today,” “books can had,” and “in past is updated.” Articles and sentence construction are also problematic: “illustrates floor plan” needs an article, while “in top left corner CDs…” lacks a clear grammatical structure. These issues make several comparisons difficult to interpret, although the general topic remains understandable. Practise forming accurate past-versus-present sentences, for example, “The former reading room has been converted into a computer room,” and check articles, subject–verb agreement, and punctuation when joining 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.