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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

220 words AcademicTask 1Map
Task 1

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Highlight the main transformation: a central seating and table area in the earlier plan gives way to a layout with more specialised facilities.
  • Compare how the east side changes from children's and adult non-fiction books plus an enquiry desk to a lecture room, an information desk, self-service machines and a café.
  • Track the west side from media, adult fiction and a reading room to storytelling, children's fiction, reference books and a computer room; note that the entrance stays centrally located.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the two plans and give an overview of the most significant changes and any feature that remains.
  2. Describe the earlier layout, grouping rooms by side or by upper, middle and lower sections.
  3. Describe the current layout using the same spatial framework so the reader can compare positions.
  4. Finish with a concise summary of how the library's range of facilities has changed.
Useful vocabulary & examples
occupy the upper-left corner
be located in the top-left part of a floor plan

The media room occupied the upper-left corner of the library.

be replaced by
be removed and have something else put in its place

The central seating area was replaced by several new facilities.

remain in the same position
stay in the location shown in the earlier plan

The entrance remains in the same position at the centre of the lower wall.

be located opposite
be positioned across from another place or feature

The enquiry desk was located opposite the reading room.

Task Prompt

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.
IELTS Writing Task 1 visual

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 8.0

The two pictures compare the current layout of a public library with how it appeared 20 years ago. It is evident that changes transformed the function of all sections of the library, including the removal of central tables and chairs. Currently, upon entering the library, visitors can access the cafe on the right-hand side, which, unlike the former enquiry desk, now occupies the lower-right corner. Overall, the library has been substantially reorganised: its central tables and chairs have disappeared, while areas for computers, storytelling, lectures and self-service have been introduced. The entrance remains at the centre of the bottom wall.

Twenty years ago, the upper-left section housed CDs, videos and computer games, with adult fiction below; the upper-right side contained children’s and adult non-fiction books. At the bottom, a reading room was on the left, opposite an enquiry desk. Today, these areas have been reassigned. On the left, the former media and reading spaces have been replaced by a storytelling area with two sofas, children’s fiction, reference books and a computer room, arranged from top to bottom. On the right, the former book and enquiry areas now contain a lecture room, adult fiction, an information desk and self-service machines, while the cafe is at the bottom. Overall, the plan now provides a broader mix of leisure, study and service facilities.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Make the overview distinguish the main changes: the central seating is removed, and the library gains new activity, technology and service areas.
2
Describe each plan by side and from top to bottom, checking that every room name and position matches the diagram.
3
Replace broad statements about all sections with precise comparisons such as “the former reading room is now a computer room.”

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