Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-04

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 diagram illustrates the floor plan of a library how it looked in past and how it is now.

It is evident that the diagram is representing differences between past and present library.

According to the diagram, 20 years ago, in the central library there was tables and chairs in front of the entrance which are missing in today's library. Just after the entrance there was an enquiry desk particularly for tickets and book returns on the right side. Now, there is a cafe in place of enquiry desk. On the left side after entrance, a room was dedicated for reading newspapers and magazines which is now converted into a computer room. There is a lecture room on the top right corner which was a room for children's books. A children's fiction books' room is now on the opposite side of the lecture room having sofas in the diognal position in place of computer games room. Adult non-fiction books was in centre of all 4 rooms in the past and now, there is an information desk and self-service machines added to it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify several important changes, including the removal of the central tables and chairs, the conversion of the former reading room into a computer room, and the addition of a café and self-service facilities. However, the overview is vague: saying the plans show “differences” does not summarise the main pattern of change. Some details are also inaccurate or unclear. The enquiry desk was in the bottom-right area, not “just after the entrance,” and the children’s fiction/storytelling room replaced the former CDs, videos and computer games room. The former adult non-fiction area became adult fiction, rather than simply having facilities “added to it.” A clearer overview and more accurate coverage of the book-area changes would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly chronological comparison, moving from the entrance and lower rooms to the upper rooms, so the reader can identify several changes. However, it is presented as one paragraph, and the sequence is not consistently easy to follow: phrases such as “in the centre of all 4 rooms” and “on the opposite side” leave the locations or relationships unclear. The opening two sentences repeat the same general point rather than establishing a useful overview. Organise the report into a short introduction and overview, followed by grouped comparisons of the left and right sides. Use clear location references and linking expressions selectively so that each change connects logically to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of task-related vocabulary, including “floor plan,” “dedicated,” “converted,” “self-service machines” and “opposite side.” These choices help describe the library’s functions and changes. Some wording is imprecise or does not collocate naturally, however: “the diagram is representing differences” is awkward, “in place of” is repeated, and “in the diognal position” is not a clear way to describe the sofas. There is also a spelling error in “diognal.” Aim for precise map language such as “located,” “replaced by,” and “in the upper-left corner,” and use “facilities” or “sections” where appropriate to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including comparisons with “which are missing in today’s library” and “which is now converted into a computer room.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but some errors in sentence structure and agreement reduce accuracy. For example, “the floor plan of a library how it looked” needs a linking construction, while “there was tables and chairs” should use a plural verb. “Adult non-fiction books was” also has a subject–verb agreement error, and “a children’s fiction books’ room” has an inconsistent article and plural form. Practise forming accurate comparison clauses and checking singular/plural agreement; these corrections would make your varied sentences clearer and more controlled.

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