Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

SOUTHWEST AIRPORT

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The diagram projects the site of an airport at present and how it will after the renovation next year.

Overall, the security.passport control and customs remains in the same area for both plans but the newer plan is likely to expand the place and include more gates with sky trains and other facilities.

The current plan has the departures and arrivals at the front. Inside departures, there is a cafe on the right corner and check-in on the opposite. Futher, there is passport control and security after which a walk away with gates 1-8 are present. On the way back to arrivals there is passport control and customs after that there is just empty way until the arrivals gate.

The future plans shows that at departures and arrivals terminal, there are two gates for each. Rightaway after entering the departures, there is a cafe on the left corner and a bag drop ahead on the same side. The check-in is on the right, adjacent to bag drop. Then the passport control and security are as is for the both plans and for the both terminals. After clearance, on the way to the gate, there will shops on the left after which there are several gates from 1 to 18 which is upgraded with 10 extra gates. In between those arrival and departure gates, there will be sky trains terminal. While returning to arrivals, another cafe will be operating on the left with a ATM right next to it. Car hires are also included in the plan which is at the far end of arrivals gate.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You give a clear overview of the main changes: the airport expands, gate capacity increases, and new facilities such as shops, a sky train, an ATM and car hire are added. You also compare the two layouts and include several relevant locations. Most details match the plans, including the unchanged security and passport-control areas and the new Y-shaped gate area. However, some descriptions are inaccurate or unclear: the future terminal does not have “two gates for each,” and the sky train is a single route along the central stem, not a terminal between the arrival and departure gates. The statement that arrivals has an “empty way” also overlooks the new café, ATM and car-hire area. More precise reporting of these features would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview and separate descriptions of the current and future layouts, so the reader can follow the comparison. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “after which” and “While returning” help guide the description. This coherent structure is a strength. However, some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “On the way back to arrivals” and “In between those arrival and departure gates,” which make the spatial relationships difficult to interpret. The future-plan paragraph also moves quickly from the departure area to the gates and then back to arrivals. Use clearer location-based transitions and group details by terminal area to make the progression more controlled and less dependent on repeated “there is/are” constructions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for describing a plan, including “adjacent,” “expanded,” “facilities,” “far end” and “opposite.” These choices help communicate the main changes, and most wording remains understandable. Some less precise or unnatural expressions limit flexibility: “walk away” does not clearly describe the walkway, “Rightaway” is not suitable here, and “two gates for each” mislabels the terminal areas. There are also spelling and word-form slips, such as “Futher” and “Car hires.” Aim for accurate map vocabulary and natural collocations, for example “concourse,” “gate area,” “is located” and “car-hire facility.” This would make the description more precise without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “after which” and “While,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, some errors in agreement, articles, tense and sentence construction remain. For example, “the security.passport control and customs remains” has faulty agreement and punctuation, while “The future plans shows” should use a singular subject and matching verb. “There will shops” is missing a verb, and “a ATM” uses the wrong article. The opening phrase “how it will after the renovation” is also incomplete. Check subject–verb agreement, articles and verb forms, and proofread punctuation between listed facilities. More consistently accurate sentences would improve control while preserving your attempts at complex structures.

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