Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-03

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 4.5)

The diagram illustrates shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how its looks

Central liabry looked in 20 years ago: The CDs, video, computer this are one place , children's books in liabry one place adults fiction books and adults non_ fiction books one side in the floor. The reading room (newspaper and magazines) outside magazines tables and chairs another side in the floor inquire desk (tickets, book returns etc) and outdoor entrance part.

The central library looks like nowadays which place in 20 years ago looks very ancient but today they make this place attractive many facilities available this side like sofa one side storytelling events again another side sofa and also added this place children's fiction books. Another part lecture room and adults fiction books information desk self service machines and all references books computer room cafe and entrance.

Overall, There approximately difference each other library. first library less attractive but second library more attractive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify several relevant features, including the former book sections and the newer storytelling area, lecture room, computer room, café and self-service machines. However, the comparison is only minimally developed: the response mostly lists labels rather than explaining how the layout changed, and the overview that one library is “less attractive” and the other “more attractive” is subjective rather than a clear summary of the main changes. Some locations are also unclear or inaccurate, such as describing the entrance as “outdoor” and saying the reading room is outside. The response is 149 words, one word below the required minimum; the 13 words copied from the prompt are excluded from the count. To improve, give a factual overview and compare the major changes in the central area and around the perimeter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic overall structure: it introduces the diagrams, describes the earlier plan, then the current plan, and ends with a brief overview. This gives the reader some sense of the intended progression. However, the two main description paragraphs are largely lists joined by “and” or “another side,” so relationships between features and changes are difficult to follow. Phrases such as “one side in the floor” and “another part” do not clearly locate items, while the final comparison does not draw together the details. Use clearer paragraphing and organise the description by areas or by changes—for example, explain what happened to the former central seating area, then compare the left and right sides. More precise linking and referencing would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “reading room,” “storytelling events,” “lecture room,” “information desk” and “self service machines,” which helps identify several facilities. However, the range is limited and repetitive, with frequent reliance on “place,” “side,” “part” and “attractive.” Several word choices or forms make the meaning difficult to interpret, such as “computer this,” “liabry,” “inquire desk” and “all references books.” “Outdoor entrance” is also not an appropriate description of the plan. Aim for accurate terms such as “section,” “area,” “enquiry desk” and “reference books,” and use change vocabulary such as “was replaced by,” “was converted into” and “was relocated.” Check spelling and collocations carefully so the reader can identify each feature without guessing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

There are attempts to organise information into longer sentences, but grammatical control is weak and errors frequently affect clarity. The opening, “The diagram illustrates shows … and how its looks,” combines two verbs and has an incorrect pronoun form. Other examples include “Central liabry looked in 20 years ago,” “The central library looks like nowadays,” and “they make this place attractive,” where tense, sentence structure and agreement are not controlled. Articles, plurals and prepositions are also inconsistent, as in “adults fiction books” and “one side in the floor.” Most sentences rely on simple listing rather than a controlled range of structures. Practise accurate past and present forms for comparing plans, and build complete sentences such as “The former reading room has been replaced by a computer room.” Check punctuation and sentence boundaries as well.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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